2021 has definitely been interesting and now we are on the threshold of a New Year. As we move into 2022, whatever your experiences, now is the time to let go of the past and explore the new adventures ahead.
Good Bye 2021
As the year 2021 draws to a close, it’s safe to say we’re all looking forward to the year 2022. While the start of a new year can feel full of possibilities, we all know that life does not always go as planned — even in “normal” years. Not only do we have to say goodbye to 2021, but we also need to say goodbye to any issues from the past and embrace the new.
“Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.”
Brene Brown
Review and Reset
“Our souls need time to think, dream, and reflect.”
Jo Ann Davis
So before we step into the new year, let’s reflect on the most valuable lessons from this last one. Find a quiet place. Life is always whispering countless lessons, what were your lessons? What did God teach you during this season? Are you facing any challenges? What are you avoiding? Think through your year, try not to judge. Accept what has happened. Drop any “what ifs” or regrets.
a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. ~ Ecclesiastes 3:2-8
“Progress and growth are impossible if you always do things the way you’ve always done things.”
Wayne Dyer
Let Go and Forgive
Now it’s time to forgive and let go. Oh, the big “F” word. Forgive. It is one of the hardest things to do, yet it is the biggest gift we can ever give ourselves. Let’s start with forgiving ourselves. We are all children of God so let us forgive like we are a 5-year-old. A 5-year-old would have the courage to be imperfect and the compassion to be kind to self first and then to others. Now that we have forgiven ourselves, let us forgive others.
“Often, we can’t forgive what was done but we can always forgive the person who did it. If you don’t forgive, you will always remain connected to the situation, which will drain you energetically and overshadow all future interactions. The tough things in life often open our eyes to the good things we weren’t paying attention to, forgive now and be free to fully enjoy the coming year.”
Roger Gabriel
Remember the courage is within you. The courage to let all of this go. We can’t take it with us into 2022, it must stay here. Do you notice any emotions, attitudes, or beliefs that don’t serve you? Let them go! Do not be afraid.
“Faith is a place of mystery, where we find the courage to believe in what we cannot see and the strength to let go of our fear of uncertainty.”
Brene Brown
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind ~ 2 Timothy 1:7
Gratitude
Even though 2021 has been a crazy, confusing and strange year, we all have moments of joy. Those moments when the sun burst from behind the clouds. Make sure to take some time to write down your joyful moments, your achievements, and things for which you are grateful.
As we walk into 2022, let us arrive with an open heart and mind. We have forgiven, we have let go and we are ready to move into the new year with the freedom and love of a child. That 5-year-old is ready to remind us to look at this new year with hope and curiosity.
“Be happy for no reason, like a child. If you are happy for a reason, you’re in trouble, because the reason can be taken from you.”
~ Deepak Chopra
Hello 2022
“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.”
Edith Lovejoy Pierce
We can start 2022 by answering a few questions:
- What do I want?
- What is my purpose?
When you ask these questions, move beyond your ego. Let go of its materialistic desires and discover what your soul yearns for. I know this is not easy. Be kind to yourself and be patient. Once you have formed your answers into a simple sentence, repeat it daily. Repeat it before your prayers and meditation and before going to sleep at night. If you can’t seem to form answers from your soul, sit with these questions as you pray and meditate. Listen with your heart, the Divine will speak to you!
“silence is the language of god”
Rumi
“Life is very short, so break your silly ego, forgive quickly, believe slowly, love truly, laugh loudly and never avoid anything that makes you smile”.
Buddha
It’s time to say Good-Bye to 2021 and say Hello 2022!
As the Camino teaches you as you walk, “live in the moment” you only have the “present”. After living this way for 34 days on the Camino, it is now a way of life for me. I know not everyone can walk the Camino to learn this lesson, but you can do this at home. Take one step at a time. Step by Step!
I am going to leave you with this amazing quote by Brene Brown:
“True belonging is the spiritual practice of believing in and belonging to yourself so deeply that you can share your most authentic self with the world and find sacredness in both being a part of something and standing alone in the wilderness. True belonging doesn’t require you to change who you are; it requires you to be who you are.”
Brene Brown
So go out and “share your most authentic self with the world” !
Want to start living in the moment?
You can do all of that with our book, “Step by Step”, it’s not only for walking the Camino in Spain but also for walking this path in life. Spend 33 days with reflections, quotes, and journaling. Find your way today!