The 1st 2015 Blog Post

It's Been A While

During the flurry of the holiday season, I felt an overwhelming amount of my own emotional space. Though an experience happened that had I not taken notice, I would have missed out on the gifts. In the subtle beauty, the experience brought forward introspection worthy of being the first blog of 2015 and the first blog post in months.

My Soul Sisters' Birthday

It felt like a regular day to me, though for her, it was a very special day. She was honoring the date of her birth and unfortunately, this very special day, slid past my awareness. My own 'tunnel vision' was holding me in a space where I couldn't see beyond. Now, it wasn't as though I committed a crime and I know I've experienced my fair share of belated birthday wishes, though that wasn't the issue. The heart of the matter left me unsettled and I chose to ask, "what can I learn from this?"

What Am I Focusing On?

Turns out I was missing other moments of pure beauty because of where my focus was. Rather than seeing the abundance, I saw the lack. Rather than experience the gratitude of the present moments, I was experiencing pain from the past or anxiety of the future and I was suffering. It was so evident, that I just assumed it was the only way I could show up to my life. I couldn't see beyond myself or the circumstances to a place of awareness, wisdom and clarity.

Within a few days, the settling (or unsettling) rocked me gently and answers surfaced. I saw the situation for what it was and made choices to stop ignoring the negative feelings. I felt beyond them and became willing to make choices from a space of awareness. First on the list was to wish a belated birthday to my soul sister and genuinely apologize for the lapse of time. In the graciousness of our connection, both were received with care. It's worth noting that, in the past I would have overcompensated with apologies. As it turned out, just one meant more than numerous apologies ever could. I also would have remained upset with myself and carried the weight around until I felt the punishment was over. Though this time, I found self-compassion and that was a gift.

Wake Up

This missed birthday was the catalyst for me to wake up from my own personal holiday flurry to the rest of my life. To once again honor the connections most cherished in my world. By being willing to ask,"what can I learn from this experience?" and listen for the answers, an opportunity for growth occurred.

There is so much life to experience and I wasn't focusing my energy within the space of abundance. It was as if I'd been driving a vehicle with a windshield covered with debris, that I couldn't possibly see beyond it. Though in the willingness to learn, the debris was cleared.

While I cannot control what happens in the external world, what I can do is approach my feelings and thoughts with compassion and care. Make choices to focus on the abundance, rather than lack and to continue clearing away the debris to journey forward.

2015 Vision Board

With this new focus and a relief from the tunnel vision of suffering, something shifted. I learned a lesson and discovered that the more often I shift the focus of my life to abundance, I find it. This is something I'm actively engaging in and am enthusiastic to continue to experience the beauty of life.

In the momentum of focus shifting, I share my 2015 Vision Board. Resolutions aren't my thing, so for the past three years I've created a vision board and selected a word for the year. My intention for 2015 is: Love, because I choose love to surround me. 

Love for myself and my self worth. 

Love for my continued journey of growth and discovery. 

Love for the amazing connections to friends and family who inspire, care and challenge me to live my full potential as a joyous and productive person. 

And love for discovering new connections and experiences that are nourishing, inspiring and authentic.

Vision Board 2015:
"I am a woman on a mission to claim my birthright."

Vision Board 2015:
Vitality, Energy, Optimism, Enthusiasm, Confidence, Connection, Hope and Love

Vision Board 2015:
The Be's

Vision Board 2015:
Love at the center and surrounding it all

Vision Board 2015:
Be Bright, Be Beautiful, Be Bountiful, Be Blissful, Be Loved!

What intentions have you set?
Is there a word that can surround the life experiences you want to create this year?

Check out my 2014 Vision Board where The Year of Support held true as my intention for the year.

With Love, Jan