Reflecting on 2023
Self-reflection is something that I do on a daily basis! It helps with course correction in all areas of my life. It’s been slightly more than 20 years since I started on this road to self-discovery, self-improvement realizing my great potential, and living a heart-centered life. Back then I would do the end-of-the-year reflection about the most significant area that stood out to me. I did not record or write down anything during the year which made it more difficult to remember everything and sometimes thought that I didn’t accomplish anything in the year.
About 12 years ago I started recording daily events in a journal to help me keep track of my accomplishments. Once I start writing down my daily events, I begin to realize where I started every year and the growth that has happened. The more I took the time to understand that life is working for me, instead of against me, the sooner I felt an increase in my healing of every area of my life. The domains of our lives are spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. Our journey of healing involves a balance in all the domains.
At the beginning of my journey of self-discovery, there were five things that stuck with me! These are foundational principles of my transformation.
- There are only 2 things that you can control in your life, and that is your actions and reactions to events that happen. Everything else is out of our control.
- Changing the vocabulary that you use. Remove any words that are criticisms. Here are a few words that were in my vocabulary: don’t, not, can’t, could, should, would, or even couldn’t, shouldn’t, or wouldn’t. Also take out any phrases that are not inspiring your self-worth, like I am not good enough, or why do I always make mistakes?
- There are no mistakes only lessons! I realized that life gives you lessons to help you grow and evolve. Remember that when the lesson has been learned and the wisdom around that experience is complete. Do not get pulled back to repeat that lesson.
- The judgment of good and bad are the most common that we use on a regular basis. It is what it is! That is the statement that I replaced “Good or Bad”!
- Being in the present moment! This was a wonderful discovery for me! Before I discovered that there is another way to live my life, allowing peace and harmony to enter my day. I used to be filled with nervous tension. From the moment I woke up to the moment I fell asleep, my mind used to race with thoughts.
These 5 foundational principles spearheaded the transformation that unfolded in my life. Each year I stretched reaching perspectives and filling myself up with knowledge far beyond my wildest dreams and expectations.
December is a fantastic time of the year to review your accomplishments, wins, growth, and transformations. Without reviewing or reflecting on this year’s events, the understanding of your accomplishments can be lost. Being conscious of what you have learned, healed, or evolved is a step to your overall wisdom.
To reflect on my year, I read my journals! The discoveries that I find in my journals that I have forgotten is the greatest gift. Think about it so much happens in 365 days in the year and you cannot remember everything. Taking a little time to write events of your day pays off at the end of the year. If you do not journal daily, maybe this is a good time for you to start.
Now that it’s December take the time to make a list of your accomplishments of 2023 and you will know where you begin in 2024.
Happy Holidays! May all your wishes and dreams come true!
Divine Blessings
Laura Canal