December Presents A Time for Reflection

December presents us with a time for reflection, a month to look back to move forward.

None of us could have predicted what 2020 has brought to us with the pandemic:

• We experienced stalls in our world economy from the shut-downs.
• There has been tremendous angst and chaos with a U.S. presidential election.
• There have been riots and protests that we have endured politically in the U.S. (Not to mention the fires and hurricanes, to boot!)
• Our new normal is staying home and wearing masks in our limited time out.

A pandemic certainly wasn’t on my vision board for 2020!

But I am grateful to prescribe to the philosophy that life’s events happen for us—not to us.

Time and time again, I realize that this one belief allows me to choose not to live at the effect of life’s circumstances. Deciding not to be a victim has helped me shift and pivot towards the light in the darkest of days.

Choose to be the Hero

I choose to be the hero at every fork in the road and you can, too. It is the cornerstone of my resilience and my ability to grow spiritually attuned and in sync with my soul.

As I approach the fourteenth anniversary of my beloved husband’s death on December 13, I find myself in deep introspection. This always makes the month of December my most reflective time, where I enter the cave of reflection to find the light of the coming year. I am always walking the path from Heartbreak to Wholeness.

I have discovered that there is always light present even in the darkest cave and the darkest of days. The abyss of the unknown is where creativity burrows and is full of possibility.

I find it most timely, spiritually, that a vaccine is coming to us just before the new year. We have run the gauntlet of the pandemic this past year and it has created chaos but also new order.

My heart goes out to those who have lost a loved one this past year; I know that presents grief along with so many other things to contend with. And, also to those who have lost their jobs. There’s so much stress there, too. I’m hoping and praying more relief happens for those in need soon. Let’s all commit to taking care of our family and friends who may be in need right now. Giving a little goes a long way. Families, friends, and whole communities need to embrace each other more than ever before to make sure no one goes hungry.

For the rest of us who may not be experiencing such hunger or grief, there can be positive growth that has come from this past year as priorities shift and we pivot towards the new year.

Reflect on a Big Question

How has the pandemic helped you reset and rediscover something new?

As I reflect on what I’ve learned and how I’ve grown this past year, I realize I needed to shift, and the lock down gave me exactly what I needed to reset.

Looking at Needs vs. Wants

For example, I am so grateful to know what my needs are versus my wants. I have cut back on my frivolous spending dramatically and realize that my needs are so much lower than the lifestyle I was living. And, I’m still just as happy as I was. Even though I was going out to eat as often and when I wanted, buying too many clothes and stuff I didn’t need, traveling, and so on and on. (And so many personal care appointments!)

I am now more focused on saving money than spending—this is a change I’ve wanted to make for some time. The best part is, I’m not missing any of it!

And I’m receiving more joy when I do buy something I want.

Rejoicing in the Pivots

Besides the reset I experienced personally, the pandemic caused me to pivot in my business. I spent much time promoting and leading retreats in amazing places; like the last one I did in January of 2020 to Bali and beyond, (although I am planning Italy again for 2022 and I will resume Mount Shasta and Sea Ranch retreats soon!)

Now, I’m helping others’ birth their books with my amazing business partner, Debra Evans, in our BookDoulas.com programs. This venture of service has been the source of my greatest delight and what I feel most passionate about these days.

I am the same muse that enlivened Richard Carlson to write his bestsellers for years. She is shining ever so brightly the torch for our many aspiring authors who come to us to build their platforms and start their books. With our wide breadth of publishing knowledge, fifty years between us, Debra and I now help others to bring their brilliant idea and story to life. The growth of our business this past year has been so exciting as we have had over 100 participants in our writing programs and workshops!

Another turn towards the light.

I’ve known several people that have turned 2020 into the year of all things amazing as they reinvent their lives. And, everyone I know has had to do this: reinvent and pivot towards a new vision and a new way of life.

It’s the Small Things

Perhaps the greatest lesson of all is remembering that small joys are always present. The joy of cooking and eating a meal. The joy of giggles. The joy of sunshine and the great outdoors. Small joys are big, and the ordinary can become quite extraordinary when we can step out of overwhelm and fear to notice.

January presents us all with a new beginning. And, let’s be honest, as we reflect back on the growth of this past year and the adjustments to our lives, 2021 will bring with it new hope.

Your Reflective Mind

As we access our reflective mind this time of year, and we go into the cave for a time, we will see how life happens for us.

We are all faced with decisions and a flood of emotions daily—especially during times of change and transition. December brings with it the transition into a new year.

It’s natural for us to jump into intense thinking, problem-solving, and a search for answers, but how often do we stop to quiet our minds and just reflect this time of year? Perhaps, staying at home, gives us all the time we need.

So much wisdom comes to the surface when we turn the volume of our busy fearful minds down and let quiet reflection take over.

Ask yourself to reflect on the good of what’s happened for you this past year? What changes have you made, and what changes are you clear about wishing to make this coming year?

Reflection is one of the most underused yet powerful tools we have at our immediate disposal for success. It helps us pinpoint solutions. Listen to my podcast episode, The Reflective Mind to access your most inner wisdom and guidance.

What if we approach decisions with a Golden Pause, a quiet drive, or a long walk to reflect? When we access the deeper intelligence and compassion within us, we will discover clarity and peace.

A reflective mind is allowing the answers to unfold right before our eyes. Success is born out of our quiet and vibrant minds. Our best selves flourish when we get out of our own way and access our deepest, truest being.

There’s no time like the present to reflect on how we’ve grown from our past. This is the way to move forward with clarity in the new year.

Treasure the gifts of life and love,
XO Kristine