So technically this is the farm blog, but I am posting totally off topic because I feel like writing about this crazy year that we've all experienced collectively and personally!
Long Snowy Road - Vermont Winter Photograph by Joann Vitali
Where do I begin?!
~ A World Pandemic…
~A Strange Election Season/dismantling of “The Patriarchy”
~The dawn of a new era in the Age of Aquarius (some call astrology or the metaphysical world “woo woo”, BUT if there is one thing that advanced quite rapidly in 2020, the use of technology was it! Very Aquarius-like. Just sayin’.)
~This has been a “Year 9” for me personally, and I certainly experienced my fair share of beginnings, endings and a culmination of life lessons in the school of relationships.
"What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from". ~T.S. Eliot
In one way or another, 2020 has been a Doozy of a year for us all! A challenging, dynamic 12 months and we aren’t in the clear yet. An emotional roller coaster kind of year! A buckle your seatbelt kind of year (always recommend if you're driving with me)!!
From “this is no big deal, it’s just like the flu” to.... “Oh shit, my mother was right..."
I think we’ve all experienced the full spectrum of emotions this year, from varying degrees of anger, sadness, heartache, fear, frustration, stress, acceptance, non-attachment and awe as we’ve navigated these choppy waters of 2020. The themes of loss, change and acceptance have seemed especially potent this year.
Despite the challenges & hurdles, there have been many silver linings and it has been amazing to observe how rapidly change CAN take place when we COLLECTIVELY work together toward a common goal.
It has been fascinating to see how businesses have creatively, and innovatively adapted and thrived in this anything but ordinary year.
Count Your Blessings has been my main mantra for these past 6-8 months. Especially when I’ve found myself starting to go down the rabbit hole of bitching and whining at life’s injustices, or having a pity party over the platter of shit sandwiches that life can sometimes serve up. I try not to dwell in that space for very long! It is easy to lose perspective and want to give up hope, yet oh so important to pull up your boot straps and carry on. Life isn’t always unicorns and rainbows, but there are blessings to behold and each of us can surely find something(s) or someone in our life for which we feel deep gratitude.
I encourage you to take a moment to center yourself, tap into your heart space, and FEEL whatever it is in your life that you are especially grateful for at this time. Count your blessings.
Maybe it is the love you feel for your family & friends, maybe it 's the way your community pulls together during challenging times, maybe it is a delicious meal or a beautiful sunset or time spent with your pet, maybe it is the ability to work from a home and spend more time with family, maybe it is a particular goal you’ve accomplished this year or milestone attained whether personally or professionally. Maybe its just simply giving yourself a pat on the back if you've been through the ringer!
Whatever it is big or small that is near and dear to you heart, whatever it is that makes you feel blessed and grateful, dwell in that space for a moment. And as we bid farewell to 2020, take a moment to rest, recharge and ask yourself some pointed questions about the direction you aspire to take in the New Year. Take a moment to reflect on where you've been, and set some new intentions for the year ahead.
Food for Thought:
What did you learn or discover this year that you would like to carry forward, build upon or shed?
What is it that you are most longing for right now?
What nourishes you? Do more of THAT!
What do you wish to manifest or accomplish in the New Year that would make 2021 a success for you?
What new adventures do you wish to experience?
How do you want to show up in 2021? You can practice any of these character strengths on purpose.
What lessons did you learn about yourself, about life, about the world, about business this year?
What do you want your life to look like this time next year?! Five years from now?! At the end of your life when you’re sitting in a rocking chair on the porch as a wise old sage and a “young one” in your life full of curiosity, wonder and enthusiasm exclaims, Tell me, tell me!!!
What are you most proud of in your life?
What unique gifts and talents have you shared?!
How have you contributed or enriched the world, your community, or those whose lives you touch?
How did YOU make the world a better place by being in it? What did you bring to the table?
What is most important in life? What has been most important in YOUR life?
What is it that you value? What are your priorities?
Who in your life is most important? Why? How can you show them they are important?
An excellent time of year to take a pause and reflect upon such things!
May 2021 bring us many blessings. May 2021 bring us grace and fortitude to weather the inevitable peaks and valleys of our human experience. May the evolutionary lessons and rhythms of life that are unique to each of us, allow us to grow toward greater wisdom, richness and awareness on the path of becoming the best version of ourselves and creating our best life! May 2021 fill us with gratitude, contentment and compassion for our unique journeys. May 2021 fill us with a sense of curiosity and flexibility as we travel the meandering, winding, twists and turns along the road ahead. Wherever the path may lead, whatever the New Year may hold for you, may you live out an inspired, well-loved chapter. Happy trails my friends!
A little Jerry Ode as we bid Farewell to 2020! :)
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