I know introspection isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.
Self-reflection, at its best, can sometimes feel tedious - having to slow down and take stock of things that have already past.
And at its most tender, self-reflection can be a process filled with grief and discomfort - especially for those who have experienced major transformation and endings, or for those struggling with accepting aspects of the truth.
So why bother with it?
Here is a response that my glasses-wearing people may relate to. Slowing down to take stock reminds me of choosing to clean your glasses with spray and a designated cloth. It may be ‘tedious’ and you may think, ‘I mean I can see, so it’s not that bad, I don’t need to do all that,’ but then, when you actually spray the glasses down and wipe away all the dust, fingerprints, and debris, you realize (or at least, I do…) “DAMN, I can see clearly now. My vision prior to this moment was not clear.” You realize how much you were having to look around or beyond in order to clearly see what is front of you. Clearing it away makes seeing feel easier.
For my non-glasses wearing folk, another example I can think of is making room in your phone’s photo gallery. Reviewing your photo gallery can be daunting, especially when you have thousands of photos and screenshots, but going through the photos can help you remember things you forgot, connect with things you’ve lost connection with, rediscover hilarious memes, organize the content you wish to keep, and delete the things that are no longer relevant in order to make room for new memories and photos (not to mention, help your phone move faster!) Oftentimes, when we are done cleaning out our phone we will have a newfound awareness about our habits and how we want to use our cameras moving forward.
Taking stock is crucial. It allows us to review the many moments that impact our life experience in order to make better sense of where it is that we have been, where we are right now, and what more we want to experience.
For those who feel challenged or overwhelmed by the idea of slowing down to reflect, I offer you this short’n’juicy reflection. You are welcome to answer all of them, or just the ones that resonate with you 🙂
The title of this past year if it were a book or movie:
One thing I am ready to say goodbye to:
One thing I am bringing with me:
Name of the new chapter opening up for me:
A word or emoji(s) that will ground me for 2023:
Feel free to share your own responses to these prompts! You can reply to this email directly, or click the button below to leave a comment.
My responses:
The title of this past year if it were a book or movie: Becoming Home - the Journey Toward Wholeness
One thing I am ready to say goodbye to: saying I am going to do things I know I damn well I have no desire to do
One thing I am bringing with me: this blossoming faith that “I am exactly where I need to be”
Name of the new chapter opening up for me: Global Discussions about Dignity
A word or emoji(s) that will ground me for 2023: Earth 👁️🌍👁️
My intention for this new year is to lead with the power of observation and compassion.
Cheers yall, and happy New Year to ya.