Time spent in self-reflection is never wasted - it is an intimate date with yourself.
~Paul TP Wong

As the end of the year nears, I've been getting email blasts from various people offering me 20-page documents to help me summarize my year.  I don't know about you, but seriously, I don't want to write a dissertation on my life in 2023.  So, I sat down and came up with 4 questions that pretty much summarize my 2023:
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1. What are you most proud of? Why?
2. Where did you make a stand in your life and set a boundary?
3. What was your biggest lesson learned?
4. What was your biggest "plot twist"?

 
My 2023 Year In-Review:

What am I most proud of? 
My "Embracing Your Inner Power" Oracle Deck.  It was a labor of love based on my own life experiences and lessons learned.  I created every aspect of this deck, from the hand-drawn images to the card design and the wording...it was 100% created by me.  And now I have a 100 limited edition physical decks available for sale.  Details below.

Where did I make a stand in my life and set a boundary?
As a recovering people pleaser, I set a firm standard around the word, "NO". 

• No, I'm not going to change my opinion simply because it doesn't fit your personal agenda. 
• No, I'm not going to reschedule my appointment, because of poor planning on your part.  
• No.  I just don't want to participate!

What is my biggest lesson learned?
There is no perfect time, perfect space, or perfect energy to create.  Whether it is painting, writing, or creating a new life, you need to stop waiting for everything to be "perfect" and just move forward.  Even if it is just 5 minutes a day, just start!

What was my biggest "plot twist"?
Being asked to run for the Stephenson County Board - District F.  Yup - total plot twist.  I didn't see that one coming.  My campaigning will start in 2024 for the March 2024 Primary election.  Stay tuned!

What does your 2023 Year-In Review look like?
Please email me and share your answers to the 4 questions above.
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Signed, numbered, limited edition deck presented in a gold lined blue velvet bag.

Creating a life on your own terms can be challenging and unpredictable. It's common to encounter detours and wrong turns along the way. This oracle deck consists of 25 cards specifically designed to help you embrace your inner power and pave your own unique path.
​With these cards, you can...
Overcome life's obstacles, discover your true potential, and shine!

I woke up this morning feeling angry.  As I lay in bed, I could just feel the anger pouring out of me.  Anger about rushing to get things done in prep for the holiday season.  Anger for having to do things I really don't want to do.  This anger was hard not to notice, so I took a shower hoping to wash it off me.  It didn't work.  I still felt angry, so I put on some jazz Christmas music, sat on the sofa with Grace the Cat, and started to journal about my emotions.  Questions like:

• What is this emotion?
• Why am I feeling this way?
• Is there an underlying story?
• Or am I picking up someone else's emotion?   

And then it dawned on me...

This isn't my anger!
Anger is in the air these days! 

Then I checked my email box, saw this message, and said, "AHA." I think this is a message everyone needs today.

"It's sometimes easier to focus on all the things we need to do - and we all know that list never ends...Challenge yourself today to pause, take a breath, and focus on what you have done, how you have grown, and the intangible ways you have deepened into yourself."

Is it just me, or is life speeding up?

And now we move into the holiday season...OMG!

There are Christmas trees to decorate, presents to purchase and wrap, parties to attend, food to prepare, and the list goes on and on.  

I've decided to let myself off the hook this holiday season and scale back.  Not because I'm cheap or hate the holiday season, but because I just want this holiday season to be luxuriously simple.  I have no desire to rush around and try to be everything to everyone, so their expectations are met.  Instead, I just want to slow down, enjoy the sound of soft jazz holiday music, put up a few twinkle lights, and just relax and enjoy a few holiday movies.


Are you starting to feel the pressure of life speeding up and the stress of the holiday season?

Will you let yourself off the hook this holiday season?