Thursday's Thoughts

[DonnaBoll]

Sorry this is so late in the day..... time seems to pass by during the holidays somehow.

This time next week we will find ourselves in 2025. How can this be even possible?! When you are my age, you all too quickly realize how quickly the years really seem to just fly by. So often we make plans for the next year - what we will (or hope) to do and/or what we want to stop doing perhaps.

Personally, I think it's good to have goals. With these we can better ourselves either physically, mentally, or spiritually - or any combination of these. Making changes can really make us feel more in control of how we react, what we eat, who we associate with, or what can make us feel healthier overall. I am a firm believer in goals. We strive to make changes but we have to, at the same time, make sure they are realistic and sustainable.

Lofty goals that in the back of our minds we already doubt we will continue for long or wonder why we even thought this should be a goal at all. We need to know ourselves, don't we? Setting ourselves up for failure serves absolutely no purpose. If you are like me, you have done this all too many times already in our lives. Exercises goals seem to be always on my list...

I just ask that you take some time alone in a place you feel you are comfortable in. With pen and paper in hand really give some thought to what change (one) we would like to make in ourselves. It can be the smallest of things... it is personal and it should be important to you - no one else.

Being kind to ourselves is paramount in making us feel good about ourselves - even with our shortcomings.

Do you feel you can be kind yourself - and still make one simple change in your life - and if that proves hard then realistically look at why. Nothing is set in stone. Our lives continue to change.....

I wish you all the best and good health in 2025!

[DebatDG9]

Hi Donna

I use a set of affirmation cards - usually on a daily basis but at this time of year I always have a personal session where I write down things I’m grateful for, things I’m glad to see the back of, aspirations for next year and then pick an affirmation card for the year ahead. This year made my heart sink ‘I am flowing with the Universe’ for a control freak like me that’s rather a scary props - but having thought about it could be a liberating experience

[DonnaBoll Administrator in reply to DebatDG9]

What a wonderful way to keep you always aware of what possibilities there can be in your day. I love the phrase "I am flowing with the universe". That can be a tall order, like you said, if you feel you always have to be in control. Just remember... 'control what you control and let the rest go'. Practicing that can make such a difference. I have, in the past, encouraged my members to actually make 2 circles . One is the circle of influence, the other is the circle of concern. Write down all your feelings, family situations, symptoms, life's events, etc.. put each one in one of the circles. The circle of concern is what you have NO control over. The circle of influence is the circle you CAN control. You might be surprised at what you move to another circle if you are completely honest with yourself. It can be life changing seeing all the energy we put into things we have absolutely no control over at all. Where do you get your affirmation cards?

[DebatDG9 in reply to DonnaBoll]

I got them from Living Magically in UK. Sadly Gill Edwards died a few years ago but she got me through a very dark period of my life -she practised as a clinical psychologist then explored many different religions/practices including shamanism. Wrote books created CDs. Her Inner Peace CD is a great support to me despite having listed to it hundreds of times over the years. Gill’s affirmation cards are no longer available which is a great shame but there are lots out there.

Recent diagnosis of ‘sticky blood syndrome’ may explain the recurrent miscarriages that drive me into the darkness - reassuring to know that it wasn’t something I did or something I should have done but didnt

[DonnaBoll Administrator in reply to DebatDG9]

Thank you for sharing this with us. I know all too well having 2 miscarriages that we feel there must have been something we did. Glad you found some peace about it.

[butterflyEi]

Wishing you all a peaceful and happy New Year.

[gwillistexas in reply to butterflyEi]

Happy New Year!

[gwillistexas]

Wishing you a Happy New Year. You have been an inspiration to all of us and we look forward to having you here in 2025.

[DonnaBoll Administrator in reply to gwillistexas]

Thank you! That means so much to read this. I have hoped coming into the group that was already 'made' so to speak, that I could make a difference.

[gwillistexas in reply to DonnaBoll]

You’re very welcome 😊