Reflections

“Everything that is past is either a learning experience to grow on, a beautiful memory to reflect on, or a motivating factor to act upon.” — Denis Waitley

If we don’t take the time to look at where we’ve been, will we be destined to repeat our steps all over again? The process of reflection helps us to develop understanding more deeply and to use intuitive knowledge for the present and future. It provides the opportunity to step back and take a look at what our experiences mean to us and our communities. Reflecting on your past can also give you an idea of just how much you have overcome and shift your perspective as a result.

The following are a list of questions that will help you move into a new year with a sense of knowledge, understanding, and purpose. In order to move forward with greater intention and wisdom, take a few minutes, grab a journal and pen, or open a new word doc, get cozy, and  r e f l e c t.

Ready? Go.

1.     What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of from 2021?

2.     What made the year difficult?

3.     What did you create this year?

4.     What goal did you intend to complete, but didn’t quite get there? What progress did you make that got you closer to that goal? Which goal(s) will you carry over from 2021 to 2022?

5.     What obstacles or challenges did you face in 2021?

6.     What did you learn from these challenges? How can your challenges be turned into opportunities in 2022?

7.     How did the lessons learned impact you and make 2021 an important year for you?

8.    Which lessons are you committed to taking into 2022 so that you can grow from these experiences (so we don’t repeat them)?

9.     Describe 2021 in a single word or phrase.

10.  Rate 2021 1-10 (1 = worst possible year, 10 = best ever year)

11.  What are you committed to let go of from the past year? What do you need to make a clean break and truly let go?

12.  What will be your word or phrase for 2022?

 I hope these reflections rejuvenate your resolve to grow and evolve in 2022. Make a note to take them out and revisit them in a day or two. Especially make time to feel joy from your accomplishments- you did well, so take the time to enjoy your hard work!

“The pessimist resembles a man who observes with fear and sadness that his wall calendar, from which he daily tears a sheet, grows thinner with each passing day. On the other hand, the person who attacks the problems of life actively is like a man who removes each successive leaf from his calendar and files it neatly and carefully away with its predecessors, after first having jotted down a few diary notes on the back. He can reflect with pride and joy on all the richness set down in these notes, on all the life he has already lived to the fullest. What will it matter to him if he notices that he is growing old? Has he any reason to envy the young people whom he sees, or wax nostalgic over his own lost youth? What reasons has he to envy a young person? For the possibilities that a young person has, the future which is in store for him?

No, thank you,' he will think. 'Instead of possibilities, I have realities in my past, not only the reality of work done and of love loved, but of sufferings bravely suffered. These sufferings are even the things of which I am most proud, although these are things which cannot inspire envy.”
― Viktor E. Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning