As we come to the end of the year, its natural to reflect on the year that has gone by, as well as to look forward to the new year ahead. This is a time for “kind sight” once again.Below are two journalling exercises to explore, now that the rush of the Holidays is over. I like to think of this as a Middle Ground pause. A time for being present, reflecting and allowing your inner wisdom to inspire you for whatever comes next.
Take a few moments to let yourself get settled and comfortable. Start by reflecting with “kind sight”on the past year. “Kind sight” means being kind to yourself, instead of being critical or judging. With “kind sight” we are able to see mistakes as lessons, and life’s challenges as times of resiliency and personal growth.
Ask yourself the following questions and write down your answers:
Looking back on 2017…
- What was a highlight?
- What was a lowlight?
- What was a surprise?
- What do I feel proud of?
- What do I feel grateful for?
- What did I learn (or am still learning) from either the highlights or lowlights?
Some people do a month by month reflection, while others evaluate important areas in their lives. (For example – career, family, health, hobbies, learning, contribution, spirituality, travel, environment, self-care, personal growth)
Once you’ve reflected on 2017, write a Future Gratitude Letter:
This is a letter to yourself written a year in advance, describing all the things that you are grateful for during the year. Start with the date December 31 2017 and address it to yourself.
Include who you’ve become and what you now have or are moving towards. Be careful not to include anything that feels like a “have to” goal or something that you “should” achieve.
This is a letter of “kind sight” for the year ahead. The key is in the energy. If your energy feels uplifted when you think about the things you’re grateful for in a year’s time, then you are tapping into your own passion and inner wisdom.
This can be a revealing and inspiring process, letting the creative juices and intention begin it’s journey.
Thank you Tree. It was the same for me … see https://findyourmiddleground.com/2014/04/25/journaling-or-journalling/
There is magic within us when we let it be seen and heard 🙂
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Like this!
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Great post Val, as I will return to, when I have a fresh mind, too tired now. Thanks for your kind encouragement and great idea 😀
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Thank you Irene. There is always time for reflection after rest. Take care of your body and spirit first 💛
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I find it more easy to stay with a positive mind, when I’m rested.
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We really don’t do enough of this. We may think about your 6 questions/points, but don’t write or verbalize the answers. It should be a daily/monthly/yearly habit of your choice. 🙂
(Do you think a monthly email to myself might work? 😉 )
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Sounds like a good idea to me Lady! Thank you for stopping by. 💛
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Thank you for offering this “middle ground pause” Val! I actually spent some time reflecting back…and forward. A very enlightening exercise 🙂
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Glad it opened up something for you Helen 💛
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Great post, Val. Reflecting on the days past can help us to look forward and appreciate the days ahead.
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Glad it resonates with you Jill. Thank you! xo
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Love this, Val. It is a wonderful idea! ❤
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Thank you Eliza. 💕
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We go through the notes in our Gratitude Basket to make room for the coming year.
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Love this Nancy!
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At the beach, my sister and I discussed this and it is amazing what we discovered when we self reflected on the year. Gratitude for what is to come is so powerful. Great idea Val 🙂
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Thanks Karen. That must have been a precious time reflecting with your sister. 💛
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Valuable exercise. I do have trouble looking back. Forward, forward is the pull.
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We all find our own way to find balance between reflection and vision. 💛
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Last year, when I was ill, I quit writing the journal I’d been keeping and never got back to it. I love your “kind sight” concept, Val, and it’s just what I need to start again. Thank you!
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Reflections with kindness are a great place to start. Glad you enjoyed this Carol 💛
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Great advice, Val. Thank you for your inspiration.
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Thank you Michele for your kind words. Happy you enjoyed it. 💛
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Good suggestions, Val! I do try to look forward and backward at this time of year. Sadly, I don’t always set those goals and reflect as suggested but I do try. Staying positive is always the best middle ground. Cheers to past, present and future!
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Thank you CC! Wishing you Happiness and Good Health in abundance for the New Year 💕
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this is a wonderful exercise and I shall do it!
I like the idea of “kind-sight”
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Thank you Elizabeth! Wishing you a Happy and Heathy New Year filled with kindness 💛
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Happy new year!
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Great post, kindness is the future! The exercises are a fine idea too.
Happy New Year Val!
– esme waving upon the Cloud
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Waving back and smiling … Thank you dear Esme. Wishing you a Happy and Healthy New Year overflowing with laughter and love 💛
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Wow! Beautiful idea: kind sight. Thank you so much. I just closed my eyes and used your questions to review my past year (which I hadn’t done yet because it had ended with a bad break up) and was met with some lovely surprises that moved me to tears – mostly thoughts about my wonderful teenage son who I’m so very proud of and grateful for. And as well…my own courage and resiliency because while the year ended sadly, this year started with me knowing I can and will go on! Thanks for the reminder to check in with my heart. I’m going to do the letter to myself next!
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I’m so glad your found this helpful and heart opening Kerry 💛 May the year ahead prove to be kind. xo
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Thank you Val. I have high hopes! And I look forward to reading more of your blogs.
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Really enjoyed this, thank you 🙂 I have just started posting and would love to hear your thoughts, I have a huge passion for sharing information and at the moment I’m focusing on our potential as human beings and the power we hold but don’t realise. Anyway, thanks for the read.
Love and light
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This is such a great exercise, Val. It’s definitely one we should do each year. 🙂
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I agree Jill. I’m so glad you enjoyed this again 💕
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Thank you, Val, for this reminder. So much has happened this past year and to put onto paper all of it, and what occurred as a result, is I feel very important for me to do. I’m not sure where I am heading right now as I am still putting major pieces back together after the Great Upheaval of my life. Yet this I do know. Peace as I once experienced years ago but on a deeper level, is manifesting. The time of my life I am referring to is before Great Strife entered my life in order to chip away all that no longer benefited me for my Highest Good. May 2018 be your best year yet and may you experience Peace beyond Understanding. Much Love to you. 💞
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Thank you dear Amy 🌹
Taking on the biggest challenges in life is so hard, but can bring out the best in us and transform us to our very Being.
Wishing you al that you would hope for in the New Year and beyond. ❤️
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I agree with you, Val, that taking on the biggest challenges DO bring out the best in us IF we but allow them to. Wishing you all the very best in the coming New Year!!! 🎉
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I love the idea of “kind sight,” Val. Thank you for this lovely post, and all the gentle wisdom you share throughout the year. My best wishes for a great new year.
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Thank you Jet. Being kind with ourselves and towards others is something the world definitely needs. Wishing you al the best for the New Year! Thank you for being a part of this special WP community and sharing your wisdom and Athena’s images along the way 💛
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Kind sight…what a perfect way to look back on a troubling year, Val. Thanks for this one. And blessings in the new year to you and yours.
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I agree Van. When the times have been so troubling, kind sight is needed more and more. Thank you! Happy New Year to you 🥂
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I hope we can all get a fresh start in 2018, Val. Fingers crossed.
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Excellent reminders Val.. May we all find our Kind Sight.. and learn to share it with others. xxx ❤ xxx Well wishes again dear Val for a very Happy New Year xx
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Thank you dear Sue! I just saw that you posted … I’l be right over 💕
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And I so thank you for your lovely comment.. xxx
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I like the idea of “kind sight”. An enlightening exercise for us at this time of year. Thank you!
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So glad you enjoyed it 💕
Happy New Year to you!
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Same to you Val. 🤗
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