Newsletter Archive: January 2010

 

Text Box: January 2010 Welcome to the Dare to Blossom newsletter – Happy New Year! If this has been forwarded to you by someone else, you can sign up for your own copy every month here. If you do not wish to receive future editions, please email me to unsubscribe. Everyone who is on the mailing list will be entered into a draw twice a year (at the end of June and the end of December) with a chance to win a prize of six free life coaching sessions. In this issue: -          Reflections: Old Year, New Year -          Links to inspire and amuse! -          Announcing the winner of the December prize draw for six free coaching sessions Reflections: Old Year, New Year As we move into 2010, I think of the Roman god Janus, the god of doorways, gates, beginnings and endings. He is depicted as having two heads or faces, one looking forward and the other back. And of course, the month of January is named after him. At this time of year people often make resolutions, and just as often these are broken before the month ends. I find it useful to reflect on what has happened in the previous year and think about what I want to achieve in the coming twelve months. For me it has been a year of great change, and I can also see – now that I am looking back and reflecting – that it has also been a time of coming together of various strands of my life that may have felt separate in the past. For you: there are various ways to reflect on 2009 and look ahead to your hopes for 2010, here are some suggestions which can be combined in any way you wish: ·         Put on some music, use a favourite relaxation or meditation technique and clear your mind. ·         Do some ‘free-writing’ – put pen to paper and just write (even if some of it is a shopping list or ‘I don’t know what to write’). Give yourself a set time, 10 or 20 minutes, and don’t stop writing until the time is up. ·         Read through and underline any words or phrases that stand out to you. You can simply reflect on these, or use them to make into another piece of writing or a poem. Often people say ‘I didn’t know I felt like that until I wrote it!’ Or you might want to tear up or even burn the paper without reading it, this can be a powerful way to release and leave behind what you no longer need. ·         Find some big sheets of paper and coloured pens or paint and draw out your 2009 as a picture or a mind-map. You may find all sorts of connections and significance that you were not aware of before. ·         Make a ‘vision board’ for 2010: collect together a big piece of paper or board, old magazines, coloured paper, pens, glue etc. Choose pictures and even words that signify to you either physical things you want to bring into your life, or feelings and experiences you want to have. This is fun to do with children, either one each or a big family vision board with everyone’s aspirations for the New Year included. Your vision can be used to inspire and focus during the year: you can add to it or refine it as time goes on. A word of warning, some of these exercises can raise strong emotions so be kind to yourself and make sure you feel safe and supported. My feeling is that looking back is good to evaluate and learn from experience – and then having done that I want to jump forward to focusing on the future with no regrets. You may find a ceremony, such as burning or tearing up the paper is a good way to acknowledge, and then say goodbye to the past. When I drew my picture of how 2010 looks to me at the moment – though I think ‘feels’ is a more apt word – the central part of the picture was a golden glowing sun shape radiating love and happiness and light. Reflecting on this image I feel it is about being true to myself, allowing my light to shine out rather than hiding it, joining in with everyone around the world doing our part to light up lives. Whether we know it or not, each of us can make a difference to people around us by simply being the best we can in any situation (and remembering to smile!) The Roman god Janus was thought to symbolise change and transitions, not only one year to another, but changes throughout our lives, planting times and harvests, births, marriages and deaths. The Christian tradition of celebrating the birth of Jesus also prompts us to look forward with hope, and to honour family and friends. Whatever beliefs you hold, or none, this time on the cusp of another new year can be a valuable time of reflection and refocusing for us all. Links to inspire and amuse! Video links: A world-wide campaign to unite the world singing the Beatles song ‘Love is all you need’: http://www.flixxy.com/all-you-need-is-love-global-campaign.htm An amazing dressage display (even if you are not interested in horses, or dancing!): http://www.flixxy.com/world-equestrian-games-freestyle-dressage.htm And here is a cat having a ‘printer problem’ – I think we can all relate to this one! http://www.flixxy.com/laser-printer-problem.htm For the technical, have a look at ‘Medieval Tech Support’ http://www.flixxy.com/medieval-tech-support.htm And finally: the winner of the December prize draw for six free coaching sessions The draw has been made and the winner informed, but due to Christmas holidays I have not yet heard back from them with permission to publish their name in this newsletter. If it is you, I’ll look forward to hearing from you and working alongside you during 2010. If it is not you, there will be another chance to win in the next draw at the end of June, and you can take up the offer of a free consultation at any time, just email me to make an appointment. Thank you for reading, do email me with any questions, comments or suggestions, or feedback on particular items. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone you think may be interested. All best wishes for a peaceful, healthy and happy year in 2010.   Mary   Text Box:   Text Box:  



 

 

 

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Newsletter Archive

January 2010

 

 

 
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