This is a Time for Kind Sight

looking back

Enjoy this yearly re-post!

looking back

As we come to the end of the year, it’s 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.

If you are like me, and have a had a turbulent year, then you may be reluctant to look back at the challenging times, and want to keep looking ahead. It’s important however, to acknowledge what has happened so you can release it into the past. I hope you will join me in this time for reflection and kind sight.

Below are two journalling exercises to explore

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 2024:

  • What were some highlights?
  • What were some lowlights?
  • 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 2024, write a Future Gratitude Letter:

letter to myself

This is a letter to yourself written a year in advance, describing all the things that you are grateful for during the coming year. Start with the date December 31 2025 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.

With love and Gratitude

Val

88 responses to “This is a Time for Kind Sight”

  1. 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 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  2. 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 😀

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Thank you Irene. There is always time for reflection after rest. Take care of your body and spirit first 💛

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I find it more easy to stay with a positive mind, when I’m rested.

        Liked by 2 people

  3. 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? 😉 )

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Sounds like a good idea to me Lady! Thank you for stopping by. 💛

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Thank you for offering this “middle ground pause” Val! I actually spent some time reflecting back…and forward. A very enlightening exercise 🙂

    Liked by 5 people

    1. Glad it opened up something for you Helen 💛

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Great post, Val. Reflecting on the days past can help us to look forward and appreciate the days ahead.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Glad it resonates with you Jill. Thank you! xo

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  6. Love this, Val. It is a wonderful idea! ❤

    Liked by 4 people

  7. We go through the notes in our Gratitude Basket to make room for the coming year.

    Liked by 4 people

  8. 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 🙂

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Thanks Karen. That must have been a precious time reflecting with your sister. 💛

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Valuable exercise. I do have trouble looking back. Forward, forward is the pull.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. We all find our own way to find balance between reflection and vision. 💛

      Liked by 2 people

  10. 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!

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Reflections with kindness are a great place to start. Glad you enjoyed this Carol 💛

      Liked by 2 people

  11. Great advice, Val. Thank you for your inspiration.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Thank you Michele for your kind words. Happy you enjoyed it. 💛

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  12. 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!

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Thank you CC! Wishing you Happiness and Good Health in abundance for the New Year 💕

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  13. this is a wonderful exercise and I shall do it!
    I like the idea of “kind-sight”

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Thank you Elizabeth! Wishing you a Happy and Heathy New Year filled with kindness 💛

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Great post, kindness is the future! The exercises are a fine idea too.

    Happy New Year Val!

    – esme waving upon the Cloud

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Waving back and smiling … Thank you dear Esme. Wishing you a Happy and Healthy New Year overflowing with laughter and love 💛

      Liked by 1 person

  15. 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!

    Liked by 4 people

    1. I’m so glad your found this helpful and heart opening Kerry 💛 May the year ahead prove to be kind. xo

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thank you Val. I have high hopes! And I look forward to reading more of your blogs.

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  16. 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

    Liked by 3 people

  17. This is such a great exercise, Val. It’s definitely one we should do each year. 🙂

    Liked by 4 people

    1. I agree Jill. I’m so glad you enjoyed this again 💕

      Liked by 2 people

  18. 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. 💞

    Liked by 4 people

    1. 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. ❤️

      Liked by 1 person

      1. 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!!! 🎉

        Liked by 1 person

  19. 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.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. 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 💛

      Liked by 1 person

  20. 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.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. I agree Van. When the times have been so troubling, kind sight is needed more and more. Thank you! Happy New Year to you 🥂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I hope we can all get a fresh start in 2018, Val. Fingers crossed.

        Liked by 1 person

  21. 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

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you dear Sue! I just saw that you posted … I’l be right over 💕

      Liked by 1 person

      1. And I so thank you for your lovely comment.. xxx

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  22. I like the idea of “kind sight”. An enlightening exercise for us at this time of year. Thank you!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. So glad you enjoyed it 💕
      Happy New Year to you!

      Liked by 1 person

  23. Oh wow, Val! Kind sight! Just a mere few days ago, someone said of me, “You are always so kind.” And here you are encouraging all who read this, to be kind not only to themselves, which is always first, but to others as well. Great post and great insights!! Happy New Year!! xo

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you dear Amy. Happy New Year to you 💝

      Liked by 1 person

  24. Very cool idea. Will definitely ponder it as I venture into 2020.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you Graham. 💛 Its worth a ponder, especially when we are looking for some clarity.

      Like

  25. what a wonderful exercise, val. happiest of New Years to you, and may you continue to grow each year

    Liked by 1 person

  26. I love the phrase “kind sight”, and the exercises you provided to reflect back on 2019 as well looking forward to the new year. Best wishes for a happy, healthy, and kind year, Val.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you Jim. Wishing all the best for 2020 and beyond 💖

      Liked by 1 person

  27. Wonderful post, Val. Love your concept of “kind sight.” Never heard that before – such marvellous meaning. Really warm to it.

    Liked by 2 people

  28. Val, this is a brilliant idea. In fact, if you don’t mind, I’d like to share it with my Friday Creative Writing class that I teach – what a wonderful way to start our writing year together. THANK YOU, and Happy 2020 to you.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. What a great way to pass on the goodness. Thank you Pam. Happy New Year to you 💛🥳💛

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      1. I’ll be teaching your kind sight during this Friday’s class – you will be there in spirit. ❤

        Liked by 2 people

  29. Love this! Thanks for you guidance and inspiration. I look forward to continuing to follow your light, Val.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you Vicki 💖

      Like

  30. What a wonderful practice. I definitely discovered the greatest blessings this past year in the hardest tasks, a willingness to do them and gratitude for having the opportunity. I’ll take a few moments later to reflect. Have a Happy New Year, Val, full of tranquility, adventure, and gratefulness.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you Diana 💕 Tranquility, adventure and gratefulness sounds just right. I’ll add a dash of joy and lightness for you, this new year.

      Liked by 2 people

  31. Wow! Interesting idea.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Glad you like it Tiffany ❣️

      Liked by 1 person

  32. I love this Val, I do a lot of letters of appreciation but never really thought about doing one to myself for the future. Pre-paving an amazing year. Thank you!!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. So glad you found it inspiring ❣️

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    1. Thank you Sanoj and for the re-blog

      Like

  33. Wishing you all the very best, always now and forever

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you dear Eddie. Always now and forever and the best to you 🎈🎊💞

      Liked by 1 person

  34. Wonderful idea to write a letter based on kind sight. Thanks Val, and to a kind new year.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you Brad. Happy New Year 🎈🎊🎆

      Liked by 1 person

  35. What a wonderful exercise. I like the words kind site. Thank you for your ongoing words of wisdom.☮️❤️

    Liked by 3 people

  36. I was with a group of people one year who began by writing all our fears on scraps of trash paper and burning them. Then we wrote our letters a year ahead. I don’t remember much of what mine said (it was long ago), but I do remember being absolutely amazed by its accuracy when I opened that letter on the date and read it. Big jujube! ✨

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Thank you Ana. It’s amazing what we seem to come up with 💐

      Liked by 1 person

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