As I reflect back on 2010 I am thankful for time with my family, a job that challenges me and the difficult, yet valuable, lessons I learned about myself. I made some impulsive choices and some good ones, each one providing wisdom that I can access as I move forward in life. The year was far from dull, yet I feel that I did not savor the juicy-ness of the rich experiences I was afforded. Therefore 2011 will be a year to appreciate the flavor of life and to notice the delicate aspects that I so often take for granted... that is my Simple Abundance Journey.
The first activity is to dream of the year ahead. My dreams are:
- Enjoy deep meaningful relationships with myself and others. I often make a connection with someone and then do not nurture it. It is the year to appreciate, tend and deepen the relationships in my life.
- Create "white space" in my life. Boy do I like to be busy! If I have even a small amount of white space on my calendar or in my head, I fill it up. I wonder why the silence scares me? This is the year to dig in to my heart and soul to figure it out. This frantic pace is not serving me and I am missing out on the insights that come from "just being".
- Find financial peace. Money has always been a tough one for me. Growing up in poverty created a sense that I need to use it all up today because the money (or anything else) may not be there tomorrow. What I realize is that there is no peace in that way of living. It also impacts my ability to appreciate what I have when I am constantly picking up something new. This year my goal is to become debt free, which will give me greater freedom in life.
- Maximize my health. I am so proud of the fact that I converted to a vegan eating style in 2010. My body looks and feels better now that it has in years. It was fun to explore new foods, try new recipes and learn about a completely new way of eating. To build on this momentum, I am committed to getting in shape by integrating physical fitness into my life on a daily basis. I am thankful for my body and I need to keep it tuned up so that it can carry me into the future.
This year will provide many lessons and I am eager student who is willing to learn. It may get tough, but all important dreams require work.
