How do you end your year? How do you say goodbye? How do you mark transitions and 'rites of passages'? These are questions worth reflecting on at year's end.
For three years, I participated in a Sufficiency Group based on the work of Lynn Twist, author of The Soul of Money. Our group spent an hour a week on the phone reflecting on "what is enough" in our lives, an idea Lynn Twist calls "sufficiency" (see my blog for more details on this work). As a part of our process we wrote out our aspirational accomplishments at the beginning of each year, revisited them throughout the year, and at the end of year we reviewed our accomplishments. This practice kept reminding us of the life-affirming axiom that "energy follows attention". Wherever we focused our attention and intention, we were able to fulfill our accomplishments. We didn't use a TO DO because usually our TO DO lists are too long and un-inspiring. Instead we learned to live into our accomplishments from a context of "sufficiency". I invite you to join me in this powerful practice in 2015.
Here's a list of suggested "accomplishment domains" you might be interested to cultivate for 2015 and reflect on from 2014.
- Career/Profession
- Financial well-being and the flow of money
- Personal care and well-being
- Community/Civic Engagement
- Philanthropy
- Spirituality
- Friendship
- Partnership
- Family
- Home
- Vacations and Play
If this list doesn't include your target domains, create categories that are more meaningful for you. Questions to help guide the process are:
- What would nourish me if it were to occur this year?
- What would have me feel pleased with myself and my life if it were to happen?
- What matters most to me in this area of my life?
- How can I relate with freedom and sufficiency to this domain?
- What everyday habits or practices will bring these accomplishments to fruition?
Join me on Friday, January 9th at 12 noon EST for a 2015 Community Accomplishments call. You will learn more about writing "Accomplishments" and can begin using this framework to live into what matters most for you in 2015.
In closing, I am grateful to all of you (my clients, referral network, administrative supporters, colleagues with whom I collaborate, and friends and family) who support the continued growth of Conditioning Leaders. May 2015 bring us all peace and courage in the places most needed to heal ourselves, our families and our communities.
Happy New Year
