Perfect Start for 2016

These just arrived today!

2015 Recap

Went through what I have been writing in 'recap posts'  for the past five years and I have to say I really am proud of the journey.

Now for the recap...

• Birthday was quite wonderful, sky-lanterns and flowers. The year started off quite well.
• I gained about 10kg :D Enjoyed food quite a lot and allowed myself to 'let loose'
• In terms of marriage it has been a very challenging year, my emotional capacity to deal with events was stretched to the maximum and I'm truly proud of the person I have become.
• Restarted my long lost reading habit
• Coloured my hair for the first time 
• Got my roots done for the first time ( what I usually do is cut my hair very short and straighten it )
• Decided to keep my hair long and stick to one hairstyle instead of getting a haircut every time I get upset 
• Went whitewater rafting for the first time, It was so great!
• Left my highly prestigious cooperate job to the surprise and shock of many because I felt so trapped and felt like that place was sucking the life out of me. I gave my resignation without getting a confirmation from any other job. I was hired by another company which allowed me to try a completely different role. This was one of the biggest risks I have taken in my life and it paid off.
• Started a monthly donation for Off-road feeding program
• Stayed in a suite for the first time on my own (Ah the Jacuzzi)
• My friend decided to end her marriage, which gave me quite a lot to think about

              What I've learned

• When your worst fears come true, you realize that even when you loose everything you will be ok and the right kind of people will walk into your life at the right time when you need them the most
• Learned quite a lot from listening to and reading posts of Elizabeth Gilbert, one of the best quotes was 'our history is what we tell our-self, you can make it sound depressing or you can tell a good story'. That's what I do now, I interpret all of my challenging experiences as opportunities that helped me grow.
• I learned that I will always be taken care of in times of need, by family, strangers , friends and most importantly by myself, I will always be ok.
• Reading 'Awaken the Giant Within' by Anthony Robbins has been truly amazing, I learned so much about myself and life.
• I realized the importance of the effect I have on how i make others feel
• Learned that I should never sacrifice my happiness and I should always put myself first, That keeps me happy and satisfied and strong. That enables me to be a better human being and be of service to others
• Learned that sometimes things  I thought I wanted are not what I want at all, life is all about trying out and finding what you want
• Learned to follow the signs and trust that i'm always in the right path

Goals for 2016

• Become a fitness fanatic
• Start fostering puppies
• Be involved at a much higher level with charities
• Continue 'CANI-Continuous And Never ending Improvement'
• Reserve daily 30 min 'me time'
• Be on the path of becoming a partner/owner of a company
• Become involved in building an animal shelter 
• To go on trips with the entire extended family and enjoy it
• And my wish for every year- inner peace (i'm somewhat there already, but need to practice calmness and continuing to maintain the inner peace regardless of the outside events)

I guess that sums it up.

Merry X'mas and a Happy New year to everyone out there!

Conflicted

Voice #1- I don`t feel a thing

Voice #2- Its a good thing to not feel  because that means you have grown beyond getting involved in                 drama and have gone past attachment

Voice #3- Not feeling anything is good, but is that how you want to continue to live?

30 mns

I discovered Elizabeth Gilbert by accident, I can`t remember how but after reading her book 'committed' and listening to her interviews, I realized that everything she said touched my inner self. At a time when I was so 'disconnected' with myself , it was refreshing  getting to know myself once again (deciding to get married/getting married/moving/switching jobs/starting MBA within one year was enough to lose myself). In one of her blog posts she mentioned having a minimum of 30 mins everyday to follow your passion/feed your soul.... since daily we often forget about ourselves getting lost in routine work or serving other people.

I have been trying it out for few days now....... started doing yoga, simple meditative practices and re-started watching old TV series during 'my time' as well. I have to say, doing all of it brought me closer to myself and provided a bit more clarity about what I truly want to do in life. I think this 'disconnectedness with onself' is something many women go through since women have a tendency to be 'carers'.
Anyway I decided that the '30 min' advice is something I will definitely follow for the rest of my life.