Reflection is a great tool, until you look in the mirror!
It’s taken a long old road (and a lot of support) to get to the point today when I can look back over the year and think “Wow, I really did that. I really did well!”
Being proud of achievements earned over the last year is not being arrogant. It’s about being gentle with oneself in order to recognise personal value, an opportunity to grow. To this end, ask yourself what your growth areas were and how can you build on those?
This is a lesson we can all learn, over and over again.
In terms of health and growing my business, it’s been an awful year! Two health scares, now I’m on life-long medication. Six months of limited income. Rebuilding what I ‘lost’ and getting back to a reasonable version of me has not been easy. I’m sure you can relate!
Yet, you and I have such valuable gifts to share with the world. Sitting in a room devoid of connection does not get our gifts out in the world.
2016 saw me completing a two-year contract, with the aim of connecting home-bound end-of-life patients with volunteer support and a bit of the outside world. Not an easy task when people need paid jobs and patients need extra free support just to survive.
Of the six volunteer services pilot sites, in a stand-alone-role, I raised our volunteer service to number one. Most number of home visits, most volunteer hours in the community and most importantly: most impact on patient lives.
The latter part of 2016 also saw me setting up the first Annual Enfield Wellbeing Showcase, a jewel in the 2016-crown. Fifty-three exhibitors, over 250 local residents and visitors; countless connections made. Absolute success.
A fair few things failed abysmally too!
Despite everything that has not worked this year (of which there’s far too much to mention here!), what has worked beautifully is connecting with others.
Connection is such a key element to our human existence. Without it, we are nothing.
Making new friends, birthing new projects, building communities – we need to be connected to other human beings. I certainly couldn’t have achieved what I did without the support of the beautiful people around me.
Connection means coming together for a common aim which brings life-cohesion. That’s my view at least.
What will 2017 be like for us all I wonder?
Amazing, is the short answer!
The connections you and I have made last year will grow into solid relationships over the course of 2017.The things that didn’t work will vanish into the mists of distant memory. We’ll build wonderful things on the foundations of all that did work.
We’ll catalyse our ideas into meaningful reality. More of the great stuff will manifest.
I know this sounds like a bit of a pipe-dream, but… if we could achieve what we did despite the setbacks, imagine what we can do in 2017. Just saying!
What will you be looking forward to?
I am so looking forward to making new connections, to seeing new projects bloom and grow. Knowing the seeds I planted will grow into the fruits of this new year.
Yes, the odd curve-ball will be thrown, but, with you and I together, connected and growing stronger, I’m sure we can hit a home-run!
Happy New Year to you, may your year be filled with blessed connections…
On the 1st January 2018, what will your mirror reflect back to you?
Cheryl-lya is a Soul Adventurer: helping women around the globe plan, launch and grow successful sustainable businesses. She runs workshops alongside one-to-one coaching. To contact her: call UK mobile 07527 303 911, or visit her website soulscompass.net and schedule a free Connection Session. Say ‘hello’ or share your joys via email: cheryllyas@btinternet.com
