by Ligia Houben | Dec 31, 2023 | Blog US
As we stand at the cusp of a new year, let the wisdom of Søren Kierkegaard inspire us, “Life can only be understood backward; but it must be lived forward,” and reflect together on what this year meant to us. His profound words remind us that understanding our past is crucial to meaningfully living our future. The practice of introspection at the end of the year is a powerful tool for our personal growth and self-awareness.
Reflecting on the Year
Reflection is more than merely glancing at the past; it explores experiences and lessons. Like a mosaic of varied experiences, this year has brought us joys, challenges, and invaluable lessons. As you ponder what the year has brought, what you’ve learned about yourself, and how you’ve lived with purpose, you’re not just recounting events but diving into your experiences’ essence.
Living with Purpose: Did your actions align with your values and goals? Purposeful living often brings a sense of fulfillment and joy.
Expressing Love and Gratitude: Reflect on your relationships and remember that love and gratitude are powerful, enriching our connections and well-being.
Forgiveness and Hope: These are pillars of emotional resilience. Reflecting on these can be transformative, especially when overcoming challenges.
Staying True to Oneself: This is about being honest with ourselves. It is about authenticity. Were there moments when you could not connect with your inner self? What led to them?
Acknowledging Pain and Loss
In life, we have happy moments and sad moments. Acknowledging these feelings and understanding their roots and impacts in our lives is crucial. Processing pain is not just about coping; it’s about growth and healing.
It’s about transformation.
Transforming Challenges: How have your challenges shaped you? What strengths have you discovered in yourself as a result?
Embracing Hope: It is essential to keep hope in our hearts as it propels us forward, especially during uncertainty or distress.
Creating Your 2024
As you visualize 2024, it’s about choice – the choice to be happier, think positively, act with purpose, and live in alignment with your true self. Your approach to the new year is not just about setting goals; it’s about nurturing a mindset that fosters hope, peace, growth, happiness, and fulfillment.
I wish you a blessed New Year!
Ligia M. Houben
by Ligia Houben | Jan 1, 2018 | Blog US
As you start the year, take a pause and decide how you want this year to be. What do you want to achieve? What dreams do you want to make a reality? What things do you want to let go? The first day of the year is the perfect time to make that decision.
You may say, this year I want to be happier. I want to be more spiritual. I want to be successful.
You may have different goals. However, these may be too abstract. What I suggest you do, is to be more specific and be clear on what these goals mean to you.
- What would make you happier? What can you start doing NOW to make it happen?
- How can you be more spiritual? What can you start doing NOW to make it happen?
- What does success mean to you? What can you start doing NOW to make it happen?
These are just simple examples. However, they make a difference. Furthermore, instead of saying this year I will try to be more spiritual, start doing something towards being more spiritual today. There is no room for trying, as it gives the possibility of not happening. Start with taking the first step to make that unique goal a reality. It will make a difference in how you feel. It will make a difference on how the year evolves, and eventually how 2018 ends. You will be able to look back and say to yourself: This year I made it happen. Instead of saying, another year went by, and I wish I would have…
It is not about focusing on regrets. On the contrary, it is to learn from things that happened or didn’t happen in the year 2017. 2018 is the year you commit to making it happen. You may want to review how you ended 2017 following the suggestion I shared on this blog.
At times we move automatically in our lives by not paying attention. The end of the year came, and you may have said (I said it!) Wow! This year went by so fast! Well, it may feel it goes fast. However, we can also make it meaningful, make it special to us; make it special to our loved ones; to our community; to the world. Keep in mind that any small action we take can make a difference in our lives and in the lives of others.
Now, I want to give you this suggestion to start putting all these plans into action.
Take a piece of paper and make two lists.
On the first list, write down all the things you DO NOT want to happen this year. You may want to let go of things that are not contributing to your wellbeing. You may want to start saying no to things that are not adding to your productivity; to your meaning; to your spirituality; to your happiness.
Then, make a list of the things you want to happen this year. State them in the positive and in the present tense:
- This year I want….
- This year I want…
- This year I want….
Evaluate these important goals, and start today taking the first step. Today is the first day of the year, and if you take action, it will give you a great sense of accomplishment; it will give you a sense of hope; it will give you a sense of empowerment; It will give you a sense of control.
Make 2018 a meaningful and special year.
Ligia M. Houben
