A YEAR IN REVIEW – 2016

It’s difficult to sum up 2016 because it was a year of contrast in so many ways. It’s a year that forced me to grow in ways I never thought possible but the route to growth involved deep pain at times, a lot of tears but I have to say a lot of laughter too.

I’m deeply spiritual and also have a lifelong interest in numerology and astrology. 2016 is a Universal ‘9’ Year in numerology terms (2+0+1+6=9), the number of completion & endings. Number 9 is said to represent an increase in universal awareness and a time where truth and information is to be revealed for the higher good. It is also said to represent endings and a time of clearing out the old so the new can emerge to get ready for a new 9 year cycle as we enter a 1 year in January (2+0+1+7=10 so 1+0=1).

So did you take the opportunity to grow this year and clear the path for new beginnings or will you take your old story of victimhood, anger and sadness into another 9-year cycle? The decision is up to you!

It has been a tough year for a lot of people and the world stage has been nothing short of bizarre at times with each new act bringing drama and disaster leading to disbelief and despair.

For me personally I got to witness both sides of humanity in every day life and the truth is we all have both a light and a dark side.

As the Cherokee legend says:

Inside each of us are two wolves

 

One is evil. It is anger, jealously, greed, resentment, inferiority, lies and ego.

 

The other is good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, humility, kindness, empathy and truth.

 

But the question is: Which wolf wins?

 

Simple: The one you feed.

I have watched both being fed this year and indeed I have to watch which one I feed myself because when you get hurt its easy to go down the rabbit hole. It’s also all too easy to compare and think the world owes you something. I know this because I used to do it. You sit on the sidelines and bitch and moan about what everyone has and how they don’t deserve it. However when you sit on the sidelines and moan and bitch about everything but do nothing in your own life to help your own personal and professional growth well then the world actually does owe you nothing.

This year I have learnt that being honest is risky and not something everyone wants to be associated with unless of course someone else they value approves and then they jump back on board.

I have learnt that certain friendships are fantastic when you are depressed, anxious and an alcoholic but when you get sober, strong and happy the tide turns.

At times I have felt like I was in the movie mean girls. I have been left out and let down by those closet to me. But on the flipside I have encountered the most incredible and refreshing honesty and support from people I have never even met.

I have felt loved and I have felt desperately lonely. I have cried tears of joy and many tears of sadness as I desperately tried to navigate the choppy waters that 2016 brought my way.

I have learnt that balance does not mean ticking off a to do list but rather being present more often in my everyday life.

I have learnt that true happiness comes from working on my inner world and if I do that my outer world will change to reflect this.

I have learnt that it is ok to feel angry, disappointed and sad and if I don’t feel I won’t heal.

I have learnt that there are miracles around every corner if we open our hearts and minds and choose to see them and that change is not only inevitable but also beautiful if we allow our fear to slip away and embrace it.

I lost my grandfather but discovered I have a brother who I know my dad and granddad would absolutely adore if they were still with us. I am one of five girls so this discovery has been such a beautiful blessing for us all in so many ways.

So as 2016 draws to a close ask yourself do I move forward as a victim or a victor? We all have this choice and the path you choose will lead you to freedom or imprisonment within yourself. A victim blames the world, their family, their childhood, their boss and anyone else or anything else that they can.

[bctt tweet=”the path you choose will lead you to freedom or imprisonment within yourself” username=””]

A victor chooses to learn and grow from their life lessons no matter how bad they are. No one gets through this life unscathed and no one knows the real pain in another person’s heart and mind. Healing can be hard but the rewards are worth it.

So in 2017 push through your fears and break down your own barriers and never give up even when times are tough. As Nelson Mandela said: “it always seems impossible till it’s done”

[bctt tweet=” As Nelson Mandela said: “it always seems impossible till it’s done”” username=””]