I am sure many of you out there have spent time these last couple of weeks thinking about the New Year and what you want to do or change in your lives. Many have made resolutions and are now hoping to stick to them beyond the month of January.
Grateful For What Has Been
Before we jump into 2008, let’s take a moment to reflect back on 2007. There is true value in looking back into our past and finding gratitude for what has been. For some of you it may be easy to look back and find things, people and events to be grateful for. However, for others there may be sadness, pain, and hurt back there that you don’t want to revisit.
I know from my own experience and what I have seen in my clients, how hard it can be to look back at our pain. I also know that if we keep pushing it aside, it grows like a dust bunny under your couch and becomes unmanageable. It may even seem bigger than it truly is. If left behind, it will affect other aspects of your life.
When It Is Difficult
My gratitude list for 2007 is wonderfully long. Frankly, I had to dig to find pain in this past year, as it really has been great. There is one thing that stands out for me though. We built a house last year. It is a project that although exciting and rewarding, also consumed our lives and caused upheaval for all of us. I had times of great resentment for this project and didn’t always manage it as well as I would have liked. My gratitude will go towards being pushed to manage my emotions and stay tuned into how I was feeling. I was able to become more aware of when I was slipping into resentment and reset my feelings to be more positive. It wasn’t always easy and shift at times was small. I am now able choose to move into 2008 letting go of the resentment and feeling only joy for the experience and this wonderful new home.
