After all the highs and lows of this year, despite all the twists and turns I had to make, I once again found my way back to myself. The greatest blessing during this challenging year was the significant and life-changing improvement upon my ability to connect with the stillness within myself and detach from my worldly life, as an observer, without judgment. Not only during meditation or writing, I was able to step back into this inner peace at any given time and simply witness myself, my thoughts and emotions, my actions and reactions- everything.
Along with this continued practice came true acceptance of the seemingly negative, and the heartfelt appreciation for the positive alongside it. The best part of all was that it was all mine…the sweet moments of joy, the lessons learned from my mistakes, and the strengthening of my spirit from my pain…all part of this beautiful chapter of the year 2017 which no one can ever take from me. Although I continue my efforts to be present in each moment and accept it as it comes, as if it is the only moment that matters and everything about that moment is what is meant to be, I find the deepest sense of peace, contentment and pure joy in the knowledge that after coming full circle this year, I have returned right back to myself.
“You are a light that cannot darken. You are a soul that shines through. You are the eternal amid the moment. You are awakening. You are love. -Creig Crippen
One of the greatest lessons I”ve learned this year is to be gentle to myself. Self-love is so important in every sense of the term, and it is a beautiful feeling once you have found the balance between self-care and putting others before yourself. I have been my own worst critique, setting the highest standards for what I know I am capable of. But after trying my best, I had to remind myself that I am only human and perfection is not of this world- nor is it what I ever hope to chase after. It is only after I am well that I can give my best self to others, and this year I have learned to never underestimate that.
As I always say, which has become the most prominent theme on my blog, happiness is 100% internal. Nothing, and more importantly, no one, can bring you true and lasting happiness until you have learned to find your inner peace and love yourself first. To those of you who celebrate, I wish you Khushiali Mubarak, and to everyone else, Happy Holidays!
