It’s getting darker and darker here in the north in this last month before the Solstice.
This is the time when your thoughts and your heart may turn to setting intentions for the year to come.
I’ve always thought that it’s more than just “resolutions” that are needed to make effective and lasting changes. I’ve written about resolutions and how by themselves they just don’t have enough energy attached to do the job. As you can see when you compare the crowds in the gym or at your local 12-step meeting in early January and a month later. Yup, resolutions in action. You can read a few of the articles I’ve written about this very thing here and here and here.
There’s so much to see every time you look back
- You see and celebrate the good stuff: everything you completed and every risk you took.
- Then you can assess what didn’t get completed: What needs to change to make this happen?
- What needs to be released?
Once you have done this completion and release work, then your intentions (and resolutions) have a much stronger foundation and a much better chance of sustained success.
I created this Year-End Completion and Release workbook a few years ago, and this year instead of selling it I’m giving it away. Because my birthday. Because I’m grateful. Because of you!
Every subscriber to my weekly loveletter will receive a free download link to the updated and revised workbook starting this week and going until the end of December. I’ve given a lot of gifts away this birthday month, and I’m closing it out with this gift from my heart to yours. It’s a beautiful and useful book. Set aside an hour or so and do some work that will help you set the foundation for changes for the coming year.
Look for the link in your copy of my loveletter in the coming weeks, and if you are not yet a subscriber, you can opt in right here.
I’m turning to three quotes from Mary Oliver to close this post. Because she really says it:
“When it’s over, I want to say: all my life
I was a bride married to amazement.
I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.When it is over, I don’t want to wonder
if I have made of my life something particular, and real.
I don’t want to find myself sighing and frightened,
or full of argument.I don’t want to end up simply having visited this world.”
“The most regretful people on earth are those who felt the call to creative work, who felt their own creative power restive and uprising, and gave to it neither power nor time.”
“Sometimes I need
only to stand
wherever I am
to be blessed.”
I’d love it if you’d chime in in the comments; how’s your year-end ritual shaping up?
Andrea says
November 25, 2015 at 1:03 pmWhat a helpful, timely post. I’ve got some retreat time coming up and will definitely add your process to the mix. Thanks for sharing!
Sue says
November 25, 2015 at 3:27 pmGreat, Andrea, please do stop by and let me know what you got out of this working.
Blessed be.
Sue
Stacey says
November 25, 2015 at 1:50 pmThis is such a beautiful offering. I think it’s so important to reflect, to celebrate and to let go of what no longer serves us.
Sue says
November 25, 2015 at 3:27 pmThanks, Stacey, and welcome here.
Love and magic,
Sue
Suzie Cheel says
November 25, 2015 at 2:26 pmWonderful idea Sue, I know it is something that can be both uplifting and at the same time depressing depending on how you see one;s year. I will be taking time at the end of the year away from my computer to review and plan at the beach I think xxoo
Sue says
November 25, 2015 at 3:28 pmWell, Suzie, feel free to print out a copy of the workbook and take it with you to the beach!
xoxox
Sue
Suzie Cheel says
November 28, 2015 at 6:55 pmI will do that, along with Leonie’s planning journal that i have yet to look at.
Dana Leigh Lyons says
November 27, 2015 at 4:39 pmOh, so, so grateful for this, Sue! And so look forward to spending an afternoon with your Year-End Completion and Release workbook.
Brings me such ease (and makes me respond with “Yes!”) when you talk of honoring and practicing completion and release work. This gives any “resolutions” a place from which to grow. Thank you!
Sue says
November 27, 2015 at 5:36 pmDana, thanks so much! I like the way you put it — a place from which to grow. Like preparing the soil before we place the seeds. Lovely!
Love and light,
Sue
Marquita Herald says
November 27, 2015 at 5:34 pmWonderful reminder Sue and I am so on the same page in fact I’ve written quite a bit about this myself. It really makes such a difference to take some quality time before the end of the year to reflect, celebrate accomplishments and define the lessons we’ve learned along the way. Thank you for the inspiration!
Sue says
November 27, 2015 at 5:37 pmMarquita, “Celebrating.” Now that’s a lovely energy to add to the mix!
Blessed be.
Sue
Amy Shoko Brown says
November 27, 2015 at 7:09 pmLove it Sue! Somehow your blogs always leave me with a smile. Especially appreciate this clarity: “Once you have done this completion and release work, then your intentions (and resolutions) have a much stronger foundation and a much better chance of sustained success.”
Sue says
November 27, 2015 at 8:31 pmAmy, thank you for putting a smile on my face!
Love and light,
Sue
Linda Ursin says
November 28, 2015 at 9:39 amI will be doing my review around the solstice and celebrate the good stuff 🙂
Sue says
November 28, 2015 at 3:32 pmGreat to hear, Linda, and I’ll be joining you in that review and celebration that week as well.
Blessings!
Sue
Claire says
December 2, 2015 at 10:52 pmI love this what a great idea to take account of our achievements for the past year! Very inspired thank you.
Claire xxxx
Sue says
December 3, 2015 at 9:45 amClaire, welcome here! I hope the workbook is helpful and revealing for you.
Love and magic,
Sue
sherill says
December 3, 2015 at 4:40 amBeautifully written. We really need to reflect on things we did in the past, in order for us to look forward to a much better future. Great Read.
Sue says
December 3, 2015 at 9:46 amSherill, you put it just beautifully. Thanks.
xoxox
Sue