Welcome to the end of 2021! Does it feel like time has sped up towards the end of the year to you? It sure does to me!
Looking back, it’s been another wild ride with all kinds of unexpected twists and turns. So much change has happened in the world over the last couple of years, it’s hard to feel safe and tune out the noise. I’m especially affected by the frantic nature of the media, electronic communication, and high pressure marketing.
Nature and natural events are one of my favorite ways to look at the larger arc of time, and step out of the daily frenzy we humans are fond of creating. This year, especially, I was eager to focus on the Solstice as a way of marking the end of the year with intention. All of the different Solstice “rituals” I read talked about slowing down and making conscious choices around change. The focus was on leaving behind what is no longer of service, and what to consciously choose to take forward.
My brain was busy trying to figure it out and chattering away like a happy squirrel.
In the past, slowing my brain down was a challenge. Thank goodness I have a new exercise my friend-tor (friend and mentor) Dr Scott Mills shared with me. It is a four minute practice that starts with listening to the body first, then the heart, and then allowing the brain to share from a calm and grounded place.
As I sat and felt into my body, I had a sense of time slowing down. I felt peace and calm. The noise of the world and the swirling energy of everything outside of me went away. I took a deep breath and felt my body relax. I was there, on the Earth, with nothing to do but feel. There was no need to plan further out than my next breath.
I stayed there for a while and allowed myself to just BE.
Next, I focused on listening to my heart. Gratitude for this moment washed over me. Gratitude for the tools and the practice that allow me to pause and get still. Delicious stillness where thoughts drift by like puffy clouds. Where nothing is more important that enjoying the gift of that next breath that comes without planning or effort-ing.
When I moved my attention to what was going on in my head, I realized that I was calmly embracing what I would like to continue experiencing in the future. Peace, presence, safety, love, connection, and slowing down to listen to myself and others are all themes for 2022.
Click this link for a five minute video that will walk you through this process.
As I think about incorporating this New Year’s list and new practices into my life, I am looking forward to sharing them with you. I am excited to connect with you and see how we can co-create a conversation around delicious and beautiful ways to be Living the Good Life Gluten Free in 2022.
What would you like to take forward? Where would you like support and what are the areas you want to focus on in 2022? Comment below and let me know.
This year I will be offering free e-goodies, fun challenges, and a program in January to help you reset your system and get your eating back on track.
I am so grateful for you, and excited to see what we can create together in the new year, and beyond.
Love and thanks!!!
Edie
