Holiday Letter for 2020

As I was wrapping up a session with my therapist, she gave me an assignment, as she often does. The assignment was to write a Christmas letter-you know, the ones you get from your family that highlight their year.  The letter I was to write is more specific though.  Instead of this letter consisting of the highlights of the year, I was to write a Christmas Letter about my Spiritual Path of 2020.  It was to include what was important to me about the changes of the year, my spiritual challenges of the year, what spiritual difficulties I have faced, what were some things I stopped, and what are some things I started.  So, after putting this assignment off for a week, I decided that today would be the day!  I popped in my bluetooth headphones to use music to drown out the kids shows being watched in the next room, and I went to work.  Within seconds, I found myself crying...like sobbing.  I hadn't even started writing and the tears were flowing!!! Well...that was unexpected!  I immediately noticed that these tears were filled with joy and gratitude.  As I began to write, the tears were really flowing!  My emotions flowed from joy, to gratitude, to sadness, to grief, to loss, to happiness, to love, and back to gratitude and joy.  

This exercise brought to mind a conversation with some friends from earlier this week, where one of them asked about any ceremonies or rituals of "letting go" of the year that has passed, so that we are able to embrace all that is coming in the following year.  And as I was writing this letter, I thought "what a beautiful way to reflect on the year and move into the new year".  At that moment I committed to making this my annual ritual, which I will now share with you.

"As I write this, I have suddenly become overwhelmed with tears of joy.  I could have never imagined a life filled with so much abundance-joy, laughter, experiences, mentors, love, support, encouragement, health, friendship, and opportunities.  This year began with so much uncertainty.  We had just unexpectedly lost our dad towards the end of 2019.  We moved throughout my youngest sister's wedding just a month after his death, which was the first of many 'firsts' without our dad.  As I moved through the waves of grief and loss, I also experienced waves of gratitude.  The gifts I was able to embrace through my father's passing is the reminder that our life is precious.  I was reminded to never take for granted: one more day, one more moment, one more breath, one more opportunity.  It was through my spiritual journey that I was able to connect with my spiritual guides, and of course my father is one of them.  I still hear him whisper "I am so proud of you".  

Throughout the year of 2020, I was presented with so many opportunities to expand past my comfort zone and align with my Life Purpose, living in my most Authentic Self.  The Universe aligned me with the best fitting Holistic Business Coach, who is also a Licensed Therapist.  With her help, and the help of her entire tribe, I was able to increase clarity of my Life Path and Spiritual Gifts, and make daily courageous decisions towards my Life Purpose.  The Universe aligned me with a Therapist, who guided me on a path of shifting my energy, healing myself, increasing my self love, and expanding that healing energy through generations.  With both of these amazing guides, I was able to break generational patterns and offer myself, my family, and generations to come a new and more expansive opportunity of endless possibilities and abundance.  

My 2020 Spiritual Journey allowed me to connect with my inner child and unapologetically unleash all of my spiritual gifts.  It has allowed me to strengthen my Spiritual Connection and my ability to align with faith rather than fear.  It has allowed me to release resentments towards myself and others, which left me open to the giving and receiving of unconditional love and compassion. It allowed me to laugh more.  It allowed me to trust more.  It allowed me to love more."

In a nutshell, here is my 2020 Christmas Card:

Those things that I let go of this year:

• constant anxiety and worry
• controlling every aspect of my life
• caring what others think of me
• blaming external factors for my lack of action
• scarcity mindset
• self limiting beliefs
• a cushy corporate job that was amazing, but did not align with my Life Purpose
• emotional barriers with my husband
• people pleasing
• saying yes to unwanted requests
• lack of fulfillment
• staying small and holding back

Those things that I have embraced this year:

• the belief that I am an unlimited spiritual being having a human experience
• internal validation and self worth
• all of my spiritual gifts
• faith in the Universe and my Spiritual Connection
• a deeper connection with myself
• a deeper connection with my husband
• the ability to set healthy boundaries with others-this includes boundaries with my emotions, my thoughts, and my time
• a healthier connection with my kids
• aligning with my Life Purpose
• launching my business that has been waiting for me for a decade
• new friendships
• strengthening existing friendships that fill my soul
• more laughter
• more fun
• more creativity
• endless possibilities and opportunities

And although 2020 was a tough year, there were endless learning opportunities to make us stretch past our comfort zones.  I have heard countless people state "I wanted change, but not in this way".  Well my friends, we may not always be able to choose how the change happens, but we ALWAYS have the power to choose how we perceive it and how we respond to it.  

I would love to hear what you learned in your 2020!  Check out my Facebook Page , Instagram, or Website to connect with me!

Sending light and love, LJ