Posts Tagged ‘Gratitude’

Just like many people, 2020 was definitely a difficult year for me. Yes, COVID was/is definitely in my face, but there was so much more.

I am reflecting on the year and I think, where do I even start to unravel what has happened this year? Do I start with Covid? Do I start with the transformation and/or loss of some very close relationships I have or had?
Do I start with the deaths of friends that has affected me on a very personal level? Do I start with the health challenges I have had? Do I start with the shift in the work that I have been doing? Not to mention the average normal stuff like renovations, shift in finances, or the start of a new business.

It has been a challenging year, with significant loss, much grief and frustration. Despite this, I think the one thing that has kept me sane and able to deal and heal (work in progress here) in each of these circumstances is to always look for the good in things. Finding the gratitude or the silver lining or whatever phrase you want to use to describe the gold that comes from the shitty situations we can be in.

There is always something good in each situation that comes our way. It sometimes can take a little time to see that good or gold…but it is there.
It doesn’t need to be this monumental amazing outcome or thing that came from the situation either. It can be quiet, subdued, sometime small…but still very significant.

So…what is good about my 2020?
I have learned a lot about grief. I am very thankful for that. I have learned even more about self care acceptance. I have learned more about being ok with not being ok. I am very thankful for this.

I have learned more about meal planning and eating more at home. I have learned more about baking, especially bread. Yum! I have learned more about gardening and growing fruits and veggies. Lots of gratitude for these opportunities.

I am grateful for the solitude that 2020 has brought me. This has allowed for me to just be and practice more of living in the present moment. I am grateful for this.

I am really grateful for Double Stuffed Oreo Cookies. First time trying them was in 2020! Haha 🙂

The list could go on.

I get it though…we all love a good pity party and to wallow in our shit. I’m not saying don’t feel sorry for yourself or not to get angry. Spend a little time with these feelings if you want/need to. Just don’t stay there.

I have a sister with disabilities and when we were younger she would get quite upset and have tantrums that we called snits. One of the things we would do while she was at the beginning or in the middle of a snit was to tell her to turn it around. Kind of like telling an angry person to calm down…worked some of the time, right? Other times it escalates the situation. 🙂

Anyway…this phrase has always stuck with me and I have found that when I get stuck in a place (wallowing a little too long) I would tell myself that it was time to turn it around. I usually said “Ok Drea, time to turn this shit around.” Just by saying that phrase, it has allowed me to go into a different headspace. It usually makes me laugh…so for me, it really works as a great pattern interrupter. I can then shift and start looking for the positive in the situation, or at least begin to move from where I was stuck.

As we move into the last day of 2020, many of us will reflect on our year and start looking at what we would like to see for 2021.
I think perhaps for myself, rather than project into the new year, I am going to stay present and focus on this moment and what I can and will bring into it. Peace, Joy and Love. And of course, lots of laughing. I love to laugh. Perhaps a little champagne too… 🙂
Much love to you and yours for 2021.

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“No matter how hard the past is, you can always begin again.” — Jack Kornfield

Do you ever get mad and allow the situation to affect your energy?  Do you sit and stew over something for hours or days?  You know…allow thoughts to circle in your mind, possibly lose sleep over something you said to someone or something they said to you?  I know I have.

There have been times in my life when I’ve been in situations that have really upset me.  Where I’ve argued with someone and things have been left unfinished and I’ve allowed it to affect my energy.  Lost sleep, fatigue and feeling stressed are symptoms I’ve dealt with when conflict arises in my life.

I’ve also learned a few tricks to dissipate this energy and allow for flow to start happening again.  To feel better, to be more focused on what my plans are, have more energy and just satisfied with a situation even if it isn’t resolved.  Each time I practice this, the better I get at it!

One way is to play the Understanding Game.  Ok…let’s say that you are driving and someone completely cuts you off and speeds off.  This can be frustrating, right?  Well, maybe they had an emergency?  Maybe their wife was in labour or their child was sick at the hospital?  Maybe they missed their alarm because the cat unplugged it and were late for their trip they have been saving and planning for over 10 years for?  Who knows.  The point is, when something like this happens and you get upset or frustrated, try thinking that maybe that behavior is not normal for them and there is some circumstance that has made them act all crazy and be rude.  That they are normally as sweet as your Aunt Gertrude.

Another way is to get into the state of gratitude.  This one isn’t always as easy, especially if you purse or wallet was just stolen as an example.  Yes, it sucks.   But think about it.  It’s fixable, so let’s change that state of frustration into a higher vibration…like joy.  Let’s look around at our life and remember what’s good about it.  Maybe you have a silly dog that did something funny that morning.  Go into that moment, and bring that feeling in.  Maybe your goofy kid said something hilarious the other day.  Go into that moment, and bring that feeling in.  Do whatever you can to change your state and bring yourself into alignment with a higher vibrational level.  Then start dealing with the challenge that you are faced with.  You will have a better outcome if you do.

I’m not saying not to deal with the challenges we are faced with.  It’s important to look at why we are creating these events in our lives and resolve the patterns that we are partaking in.  However, if we look at changing how we are feeling when we are in the moment of what is happening, we will get through it with less stress, feel better rather than depleted and the outcome can come to fruition faster and possibly better than what you expected.

Remember, it’s all about choice with how we react.  We can choose to react in a positive way which will have positive effects, or in a negative way, which will perpetuate that energy.  The choice is yours.  Remember that.  You always have a choice.

Happy New Year!

2012 is all about new beginnings, new chapters and personal transformations.  If you have been thinking of change and growth in your life, this is the perfect year to do it!  It’s time for you to find purpose and connect to who you are and why you are here.  For some of you, the road might not be apparent or easy to find.  Remember that it isn’t about how to get there or where the road is, but more about just putting one foot in front of the other and just starting to walk.  The direction you take will most likely surprise you!

I’ve been thinking over the past couple of days about the energy that we are moving into this year and it is very exciting!  There will be a lot of movement happening all over the world.  I started to wonder about what I could do to help people get onto their path a bit easier.  To give you a bit of a jump-start if you are looking for change and purpose.  I came up with something that I’ve started implementing with some family and friends and I thought I would share the idea with you.

To New Beginnings!

What I would like to offer to anyone that is interested in changing their lives, finding more purpose, happiness, love and gratitude, is a series based healing/intuitive package. These sessions with be completely tailored to you as an individual and will be as unique to you as you are to the world!  They are really all about helping you find what you need to get you to move forward in the New Year.

You will start by committing to 8 sessions, one per week, at 30 minutes in length. I want to help people move forward and take that first step, so I have really kept the cost to you very affordable.  Per session, the cost will be $20 and your total commitment over the 8 weeks is $160.

It’s a great time to start to make changes in your life; an exciting time for transformation and growth.

I can help you get there.

Best wishes for a prosperous 2012! I wish you all love, happiness and health in this New Year!

Drea