The Newsy Neighbour
January Issue #111
Article provided by: Darlis Keily-Ireland with WomenTalk Strathmore
“Make New Year's goals. Dig within,
and discover what you would like to have happen in your life this year. This
helps you do your part. It is an affirmation that you're interested in fully
living life in the year to come.” ~ Melody Beattie
January is one of my favourite months and not just because
it’s my birthday month (although that’s a pretty good reason!). January feels
like there are so many new possibilities to be discovered in the months ahead,
so many opportunities to explore life, to meet new people and to grow
personally and professionally. January also represents a fresh start. It is
when many of us reflect upon the past year and look forward to the new one (and
perhaps fingers are crossed that it is better year than the last) or we set resolutions
and goals for what we intend to achieve.
There was a time when January was just the month that I
turned a year older. There were no resolutions or goals or any thought to what
the year ahead might bring. That changed nine years ago when my oldest son
graduated and it dawned on me how quickly the years had gone by. It felt like I
had missed many of them in the distracting daily routines of parenting, working
and contributing to my community. Perhaps you know this feeling? I made a decision
to stop ‘existing’ and to see each year as a time to explore, discover and
experience life… to become more of who I am.
Over the years, I adopted practices for myself and my
clients that encourage positive life changes.
For example, selecting a ‘Word of the Year’ can guide your decisions,
actions and relationships (my word for 2017 is Spark). Deciding on one big goal
for each area of your life, breaking the goals down into small doable steps and
focusing on only one or two goals at a time, allows you to make steady progress
and reduce the overwhelm (and stress) of making too many changes at once - keep
in mind that changes you WANT to make are much more powerful and enjoyable than
changes you think you SHOULD make. And finally, stretching yourself by going
outside your comfort zone expands your perspective, knowledge and inner
awareness – look for opportunities to do something new, overcome a fear or to
feel vulnerable.
I have discovered several results typically occur, both in myself
and my clients, when we consciously make choices to be more present in our
lives. Some of the bigger ones are:
·
the most impactful ‘growth spurts’ come after
fears are faced or challenges overcome
·
the presence of just one supportive person in
our life can expand our courage and bring new wisdom
·
confidence increases and we are better able to
take on life’s challenges and see new possibilities
·
when we appreciate all of our experiences as
part of our individual journey, we uncover a new level of awareness that can
inspire others
·
when people allow themselves to be real and show
their perfect imperfections, they are often lead down new and exciting paths
Being real, vulnerable and perfectly imperfect is what Women
Talk is about. Every month, women share stories about their life which have had
a profound impact on how they understand themselves and the world. They share
their passions, joys, hardships, hurts, life lessons and wisdom (and they share
a lot of laughter, good food and friendship, too!). In this safe and supportive
community, women connect to each other and in the process, step into their
lives in a bigger way.
As the New Year begins, how will you commit to stepping more
fully into living YOUR life? Whatever you do, enjoy the ride.
“We are all wonderful, beautiful
wrecks. That's what connects us--that we're all broken, all beautifully
imperfect.”
~ Emilio Estevez
~ Emilio Estevez
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