“I’m not willing to betray myself anymore to fit in with the world.” ~ Brene Brown (Braving the Wilderness)
As we welcome the New Year, may it invite us to venture deep within ourselves, finding those places that are begging to be seen, and to be heard. This is not only a time for new beginnings, and starting new chapters in our evolving lives, but also a time to let go of what may no longer serve us. Releasing people, places and things that no longer feel ‘right enough’, in our bodies and our hearts, trusting our inner compass to lead us in the right direction. Having the courage to peek under the surface, paying attention to what our bodies already know to be true for us, even if our mind gets stuck in old thoughts and patterns of comfort and stability.
May we all have the courage to ‘look beyond’ what is possible for this new year. Let us be curious enough to venture forward, even if we aren’t quite sure where we are headed. May we come to understand that we are always being held, in a loving and supportive way, whatever that may mean for you. May we learn to trust ourselves in this process, resting assured that we will always land on our feet.
This month’s theme revolves around building a sturdy foundation for the new year. Helping us learn to trust our inner wisdom and nervous system, that's always steering us in the right direction, that is true for us. Starting with the basics of tuning into our somatic bodies and its unique language, through safe and gentle movement and mindful awareness.
Our new year's wish/intention/prayer/mantra/poem/words will be relative to what we are wanting to bring into our lives in this new year. Keeping it simple, safe, humble, and true to yourself, not what others want, or expect of you.
Where might you lean in, providing safe and gentle self-care?
What is one word that best describes what you would like to bring into 2024?
· This was shared by my best friend and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Master Coach and Teacher, Michelle Reugebrink. “Poetry invites us into a shared yet personal experience. We catch a glimpse of life through the poet’s eyes without needing to close our own. David Whyte’s poetry offers a mindfulness practice with a lifetime of words to work with.”
Just Beyond Yourself by David Whyte
Just beyond yourself,
It’s where you need to be.
Half a step into self-forgetting and the rest restored by what you’ll meet.
There is a road always beckoning.
When you see the two sides of it closing together at that far horizon and deep in the foundations of your own heart, at exactly the same time.
That’s how you know, it’s the road you have to follow.
That’s how you know, it’s where you have to go.
That’s how you know, you have to go.
That’s how you know,
Just beyond yourself,
it’s where you need to be.