Greetings fellow change agents and welcome to Day 3 of the Finish Strong Challenge.
I woke this morning with a peaceful heart. How about you?
Yesterday’s reflection on the year I’ve just lived was a significant experience for me. It conjured up gratitude for wins previously unrecognized and regrets for missteps I need to forgive myself for.
It also made me realize, once again, how hard I am on myself. Now you would think after “being me” for 55 years this would come as no surprise. Yet, whenever I truly stop to look at what I get done in a day, week, month and year – there is no denying when I put my heart and soul into something I can really kick ass. But in my fervor to get to the “next thing” I miss the chance to revel in my kickassness and celebrate my wins. Can you relate? Are you excavating triumphs, big and small, that perhaps flew by so quickly you didn’t take time to appreciate them? If yes, you are not alone.
So today we just sit.
This morning I lit a candle and my favorite incense. I connected my Bose to “Liquid Mind” on Pandora and just sat with the awareness of me, my year and all that lead up to this moment. It’s foggy and rainy outside. Boomer (my yellow lab) is asleep at my feet and I find my breath mirroring the rise and fall of his breath. I get quiet and I go deeper.
Thinking back to what I wrote in my Rear-view Mirror Exploration (the one I shared in my Day 2 entry), I mentally meander through them as best I can. Thankfully, my mind wanders first to the things I am celebrating – the joy I felt, the goals I met and the times I was working in my Zone of Genius. From this space I took a deep breath and asked myself, “What else is there? What am I not seeing?”
Like clouds floating across the sky, more wins passed through my consciousness…
- Two beautiful friendships that had blossomed out of a professional connection
- The successful launch of one of my courses into a company in Australia
- The way Mario patiently hung with me during my “funk” over the summer
And so it went. Like little seedlings that just needed time to germinate, small wins from the previous year continued to sprout. You’ll find them in my ever evolving Year-In-Review Exploration.
Then I turned my attention to the missteps – the things I said I would “do over.” As I examined them more closely, I realized that while each one had a very real downside, they all held a gift I could only appreciate now that I am on the other side. Each one gave rise to a new awareness, a renewed commitment or a sense of resolve that I am now taking into next year. Each one held a gift.
So this is my invitation for you – today, get quiet, go deeper and find what other gifts of awareness this past year holds for you.
Important Note: If you are NOT receiving my daily Finish Strong Emails and would like to, click here to opt in. I’ll start you off with Day 1 so we can walk this path together. Then, tell me what you are thinking by posting a comment on this blog. This Finish Strong Challenge has become a passion project for me and I want to know if and how it’s serving you. ;0).
Creating space…
Letting go…
Being here…
Sitting still…
Didn’t know I needed permission, but I did today.
Thank you, Jane!
Ahh Mel, we are two peas in a pod! Glad you are along for the ride!
Sometimes I feel the weakest just before a breakthrough — and I am imagining that now. Super woman breaks out of her constraints and flies. Fueled by your shares — feels authentic — re-orienting — centering, challenging. Thanks Jane.
Very fun, Jo Ann… I like the way you think. ;0) Next week we turn to what we want for 2016. I hope you’ll explore that with us. xoxox
Lately I’ve been waking up early (5am or so) with a start, my mind racing straight to my to-do list.
I have made a deal with myself. Mornings are for writing, turning my soul inside-out, remembering my dreams, being me. No “work” allowed during those first minutes, not until I’ve journaled and gotten in touch with my spirit first.
It’s not easy. I want to jump right into making my list for the day, listening to a training, doing my calendar.
But instead, I’m making myself go deeper. Remember who I am and what I’m here for.
Yesterday’s challenge was my first experience with someone asking for a refund. Processing what I learned from that and how I feel about it. Taking that space each morning is a real gift.
Oh how I hear you Kelli. I too want to jump in. This challenge has forced me to go inward – not just for me but for all of you. And… yes, the refund thing is never a fun experience although it sounds like you are discovering something valuable in the experience. So glad you are on this path with me. ;0)
I declared my intention of “finishing strong” at work yesterday. Did not get much reply (everybody seemed tired, sick or worn out), but just saying it out loud had me move into that space of power. Today I was a force to be reckoned with. Everything that was coming my way was handled efficiently and promptly. It felt good to be in the zone. Looking forward to doing it again tomorrow. Thanks for the inspiration. It’s working.
Woo Hoo, Beate!!! Imagine me there, receiving your proclamation with a, “you go girl!” Truth is… sometimes, when others can’t find the space to celebrate our audacious proclamations it’s because we’ve reminded them of what needs to shift in their own life. You’ve got us cheering you on!
Thank you Jane. It’s so great to feel supported. This has been a powerful week so far. It’s amazing what shows up when the intention “to finish strong” is combined with “being a contribution to the people I meet”. 🙂
Thank you again for what you are doing. I appreciate you.
This exercise was brilliant. It invited me to reflect on the many revelations from the day before. I would have just gone on and thought a little about the revelations, but this forced me to re-read them and let them sink in, celebrate and forgive, get ready for moving forward. Thank you Jane!!!
I have included a 30 minute walk everyday for the next 30 days. I walk, talk out loud(which I always do because that’s when I hear myself) take in the fresh air as I enjoy the Christmas decorations in the neighbor, and get clarity, and a sense of peace. I can’t wait to walk today.
Perfect Carol… that’s the same experience I had. I’m so glad you’ve committed to Finish Strong!
I’m really enjoying reading these Jane. I’ve done my look back at the last year and had some great insights. Thank you for this.
xo Rhonda
when I did the rearview mirror exercise, I was pretty hard on myself for having such a bad year. Now that I have let it sit for a few days and gone over it again, I feel much better about it. I didn’t have to learn that it’s okay to cut things out, even if I spend good money on them. Deciding what I can’t do anymore is part of deciding what I will pursue in 2016. It has been a good year for reflection.
This is perfect Dr. Neil. After the year you have lived I’d say maintaining your positive attitude and proclaiming your commitment to create your legacy are pretty remarkable triumphs. My sense is the things you can’t do these days requires an adjustment but all you can do is exciting and incredibly meaningful.