New Year Gratitude 2022

Another new year is upon us with the opportunity for fresh perspectives, to set new goals, and to be open to new opportunities that lay in the year ahead. I rarely make new year resolutions but I do like to make new year goals. Resolutions feel like binding promises whereas goals bring new energy to projects or aspects of my life that I want to focus on. This year my goal is to focus on presence – to be in the present moment, to find the blessing at hand, and to know that Love fills all space.

Since my Mom’s passing I have spent a considerable amount of time in prayer and focusing on my spiritual growth. Each day has been an opportunity to deepen my understanding and live in the now. I was recently challenged with extreme pain in my lower back, to the point where I was immobile and in tears – for several days. What did I want to do? I wanted to call my Mom. With one simple phone call her spiritual guidance, her love, her presence would always lead me towards the healing I was seeking. Instead I had the opportunity to grow on my own, to lean on my own understanding, and to turn to God in prayer.

What was my prayer? It was giving gratitude. I filled my thought full of love, of humble thanks, and for blessing me with a guide (my Mom) that steadfastly showed me the way many times before. I claimed what is true about my identity by reading the I Am statements (see previous post One Year: I Am Exercise https://gratefulhearthomeandgarden.com/?p=1049) and leaned on family and friends to help me through this physical challenge. I decided to extend this gratitude exercise into other areas of my life that has brought wonderful transformations…

• My 14 year old daughter was recently accepted into a 4 year leadership program. She spent the weekend at a private college getting to know her new classmates. She had to leave her cell phone at home so there was no way to get in touch with her. Did she arrive on campus? Was she having fun? Was she okay? I’d just have to wait until the end of the weekend to find out – in the past, I may have spent a majority of my time fretting if she was okay. Instead, I turned to gratitude. I was grateful she had this wonderful new opportunity, that she was making new friends, trying new things, and learning how to navigate social interactions and overnight trips without me. The result was at the end of the weekend she said it was “the best of her life!”
• We have a 10 month old border collie puppy with a lot of energy! Instead of feel overwhelmed by her energy and by how many walks she needs each day I have decided to give gratitude for the sense of purpose and activity she has brought into my experience. The result? A sweet new companion and the bonus of a 20 pound weight loss.
• I am taking the lead on planning my younger brother’s rehearsal dinner later this year. This is a task my Mom would have taken on if she was still with us. Instead of feeling sadness of planning without her I’ve decided to see this as an opportunity to create a beautiful and fun atmosphere to celebrate love and this new union of hearts. The result? I found a vendor that said “yes” to our event with just a few phone calls and a tasting is on the calendar.

These are just a few examples of how I changed my perspective and opened up my mind to find the good in the present moment. Isn’t that what life is? A moment by moment collection of experiences and opportunities – it’s our choice on how to view each one. Sending love to you throughout 2022.