Reflections on 2017

With only five days left in the year, I'm struck by how quickly 2017 has flown by. It's been a year of hard work, tough challenges, lessons learned {some the hard way} love, loss, joy and celebration. I cannot remember a year like this one, as arduous as it was fun. I'm saying I think 2017 was a bit bipolar, for as much as I've had to be grateful for and celebrate during the past twelve months, I've also shed tears, been frustrated, afraid, taxed beyond what I'd ever imagined I could handle and still have managed not to feel utterly trampled by it all.

How has it been for you? Have you had a chance to take some time for yourself this holiday? Were you able to sit quietly for a few moments and reflect on all the year has brought you? On all the year has taught you? If you've been overwhelmed by commitments, duties, family obligations, and holiday merriment in general, I'd encourage you to take a few minutes for yourself and reflect. It's the perfect time for it. With the solstice still clearly in our rear-view mirror, the days remain short and dark. We're sitting in the shadow of our recent Mercury Retrograde - so there couldn't be a better time to go within. Look at where you've been, all you've accomplished this past year, be proud of the obstacles you've overcome and have a moment of gratitude for the many blessings big and small.

No idea where to start or feeling too tired to even bother? How 'bout a little help. I found a lovely Christmas Meditation that I was able to do on Christmas morning and it really gave me perspective on where I've been and how I've grown this year, because I dunno about you, but this year has felt like one of exponential growth. My biggest take-away however, has been the lesson of surrender.

We simply cannot control everything. Seems each time you click on the news something bad has happened, is happening, or is about to happen - and with access to global broadcast we're getting more bad news from farther away, faster than ever before. Add to that the various causes you may choose to support, charities you're committed to helping, or change you want to contribute to make our world better - it can all feel a bit much some days. So I've learned to ask for help. To realize that I am just one woman and that it's okay to surrender to a higher power, whatever that is for you.

I've not be here as faithfully as I'd have liked this year so haven't been keeping up with posting my Monthly Virtues, but I'd like to take this opportunity - here in the last week of the year - to set up my virtue for the new year. If you've been following any of my Twelve Days of Christmas posts, you'll know I've committed to going Vegan. It started out just as a pledge for the month of January when I signed up for Veganuary, but as I've done my research and dug into it a little more, I've elected to start early and see it through as a lifestyle shift. {Meaning indefinitely} Therefore, I'd like to choose the virtue of COMPASSION for the month of January.

Compassion first and foremost for the animals, compassion for myself for not making this change sooner, and compassion and understanding for all those not yet ready to take this step.

In the meantime, I'd like to share with you a message from the lovely intuitive counsellor and happiness coach Kari Samuels for this last week of the year. This was her message:

{The Past} You've learned a lot in the School of Life throughout this year. Nobody could have entirely prepared you for what you've learned, because it had to be from experience. Now you know to listen to your inner voice, to trust yourself more, and to make decisions based on what's right for you, rather than someone else's idea of you. Now it's time to make some of your dreams a reality.

{The Present} Let this last week of the year be one of reflection. Your intuition is strong and your Guides are preparing you for a momentous year ahead. There is lots to see and do! Yet for now, it's time to write, journal, dream, imagine and reflect. {I love that!}

{The Future} It looks like we're beginning the year with a beautiful start. Get ready for emotional, spiritual, and material fulfillment. This is what happens when you are true to yourself and take a chance on your dreams. We begin the year with an incredible Full Supermoon in Cancer. It's a big bountiful blessing from the Universe reminding you to shine your inner light brightly!

Thanks Kari. That's a beautiful note to wrap up the year with.

I'd like to encourage each and every one of you to take a chance on your dreams. Dare to make wishes and believe they can come true. I feel very strongly that 2018 is going to be a year of true happiness, blessings and abundance. It's all ours if we choose to accept it.

Happy new year my beauties.
Love,
Shan