Thank you, 2012! Welcome, 2013!

Wow, what a whirlwind year this has been. Rollercoaster is a fitting expression, too. Until one hour ago, the jury was still out how this year would end for me, and now it’s official: I’m in a happy place for the last few hours of 2012.

Not that it really was a close call - I feel blessed to have been given every single moment of 2012! Some I mastered gracefully, others not so much. 

Here are a few of the life-changing events from my 2012:

• I took an unconventional SELF-CARE approach to a conventional exam experience, and finally passed this bugger
• I reconnected with a former assistant lecturer from The Art and Adventure of Leadership at my alma mater (University of Southern California) - Athena Perrakis at SageGoddess
• I connected with a tribe of wonderful women over at SouLodge with Pixie Campbell
  
• I became a Reiki Master
• I started blogging, thanks to Leonie Dawson’s inspiration
  
• I started eMateria, my business
• I became part of a small and wonderful women’s business group coaching led by Maya Corinne and Pixie Campbell
  
• I teamed up with Shelly Norris who is creating SoulFireRetreats as we speak
  
• I set a host of other things rolling - don’t want to spill those beans just yet, though... :-)

All in all, I have to say, I’m impressed! This is so much more than I ever dreamed of a year ago! I learned loads in the school of life this past year. Woohoo!

Earlier this afternoon, though, I caught my inner dialog - I was beating myself up for all the not so graceful stuff that transpired in the past year.

Luckily, a dear friend of mine inspired me to don my running gear and get my butt out of the apartment. You know who you are, dear life-saver, thank you!!!

On the way to the forest, I was still in the dumps emotionally. I would run for a bit, then drop into a slow trot or even walk. That’s when my thoughts were at their worst: “how could I ...?” “why didn’t I ...?” “what will X think of me now?”  - I’m sure you’re familiar with that kind of mental conversation. I almost turned back before reaching the forest. And I desperately wanted a place to hide so that I could cry.

I’m glad I know myself well enough by now to notice that this kind of afternoon is precisely the time when I most need a few minutes alone in the forest, be it running, walking or just sitting still. So, somehow, I made it into the forest. 

When I reached the trees by twilight, rising against the sky naked and dark, I finally started breathing more deeply. The scenery reminded me very much that winter time, though cold, removed and often characterized by a scarcity of sunlight in these parts of the world, is very much part of the master plan. It’s part of the magic to have a time to sit and go within. Or to go outside and notice that nature herself is taking a breath, going inside, and gathering strength before she bursts out in all her splendor in a new spring.

There’s so much hope, so much promise! And nature doesn’t beat herself up a bit because she’s devoid of the pretty flowers and luscious greens for a few months each year. So, why do we?

Let’s return to that state of immense gratitude and deep knowing that we are in the right place at the right time. Because we are. This moment is the only one that counts. 

Please take a moment to reflect on the following: 

            What are you grateful for? 

            Where are you at? 

I invite to share in the comments section below if you feel called.

And now I am going to say bye bye and thank you 2012! And welcome 2013 with all new adventures! I look forward to connecting with all of you again in the new year!

Love and light,

Solveig