New Year, New You!
Firstly, I wish you a happy and abundant year ahead, filled with joy and the courage to face the difficulties with a sense of calm and clarity. Life will not always be moonshine and roses, suffering, grief, hurt or pain are also very much part of the human experience, so it's being able to see these things through with the support of our loved ones, using the tools at our disposal and then learning and growing from these experiences that allow us to feel the full spectrum of life, to adapt, make changes and evolve.
Secondly, I am looking to host a retreat here in Thailand at one of our favourite places with my little bro Dane (also an experienced teacher and practitioner) at the end of the year in October, please let me know if you would be interested by replying to this email. This would be an immersive journey, built around a small, personalised intimate group, an exploratory container to play, learn and support you in the various forms of Yoga, meditation, Qigong, breath, movement and wellbeing with daily morning and afternoon practices, afternoon workshops and optional extra group activities, all built around you. Do as much or as little as you like each day! Beautiful cosy rooms, delicious food and a relaxed environment for the week.
We're almost at the end of January! Perhaps you set yourself some New Year's resolutions? Maybe you took some time to journal and think about what you would like to manifest for this year? Maybe you had a huge party and a big headache on New Years Day and haven't given it much thought... (no judgement) However you decided to ring in the Year of the Fire Horse (according to the Chinese Zodiac) it's not too late to take some time, quietly with yourself and make a few notes, and reflect, so that by the end of this year, you can see some real, measurable changes and improvements in your life rather than stumbling through the year exhausted and just glad it's over by Christmas!
"You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending."
I would like to offer some insight here and an alternative to the usual resolutions as my life is considerably different now than 10 years ago when I was the one waking up on New Years Day with a big headache... lol
Start by asking yourself some questions rather than just listing things you want to change or do.
Here are some ideas:
- Who am I?
- What motivates me?
- What are some of the things you have been avoiding?
- What goals am I chasing to feel worthy, not alive?
- What version of success would collapse if no one applauded it?
- What would I choose if reputation no longer mattered?
- What kind of life wants to be born through me, not for others?
- What is the purpose of my life? Do I feel fulfilled?
- Am I living up to my full potential?
- Do I have more excuses than solutions to fulfilling my dreams?
- Am I happy in my relationships? (partner, family, friends, colleagues)
Sit with these questions and your responses, really reflect from different angles, come back to them in a few days, look at them again monthly.
Make a few commitments to yourself and some simple, actionable steps that are going to be realistic for you to maintain, build from there, consistency is key. Plant seeds of intention for the future, without getting stuck on the results or outcomes, allow your dreams, goals, desires to shift and morph with the ever changing you. Be open to let the Universe surprise you!
The path ahead will not always be clear, and we cannot control most things outside of ourselves. Taking action creates momentum, and from there, the path will be revealed.
The nature of the mind is that it wants to know, it is uncomfortable with NOT knowing - impermanence... The body and mind are interconnected, they are your vehicle to experience this life, and the YOU, the Spirit or Soul within is the Observer behind your thoughts, your true nature - pure consciousness. So don't forget to take time each day, to sit quietly with yourself and connect with your heart, don't let the noise of the world run your life.
I'll keep this first newsletter of the year short and sweet, please do check out the links and information that I share below for some deeper insight. I also want to thank you for being part of my little community and for reading these emails, I know we are all bombarded with so much information through apps, social media, emails etc so it really does mean a lot to me that what I share (hopefully) adds value to your life in some way. :-))
With love and gratitude
Kirsten-Mia xxx
"If your peace depends on everything going right, that's not peace, that's control. Learning to be steady in uncertainty - that's real growth."
