Looking Forward

As we embark on a new year, many people think of things they would like to change, set goals, and make new resolutions of things they will do differently. Some may resolve to reminisce on the past or think about things that they may regret or the different choices they would have made in life, that would have changed the trajectory of their present or future. These thoughts can cause a variety of emotions or feelings. This can have people stuck in an unsettling mindset. Let’s resolve for 2024 to be the year to GROW®. Let me explain the meaning of GROW®. It’s a process that we take ourselves through in order for change to happen. It’s a very personal experience that takes time.

G – Gratitude: Show gratitude for life and take responsibility for the results you created and recognize the circumstances beyond your control. This is about finding the silver lining in everything…everyday! This may be difficult at times, but finding something positive everyday is good for the brain. Write affirmations or simply pick three things everyday that you are grateful for.  

R – Reconcile Thoughts: Our thoughts cause emotions and the language in our brains causes feelings (happiness, pain, etc.). When we have pain or negative thoughts, we must redirect them to a positive. This calls for a conscious effort and decision to change thoughts. At times this may also include finding a strong supportive system to support the change. Develop your own personal board of directors to help you stay in a positive frame of mind and also try calming techniques such deep breathing and meditation.

O – Owning Feelings: One of the hardest things to do is own our feelings. Thinking about why we are feeling the emotions that we have can be a difficult task. Many of us have been taught, especially men, to stuff our feelings…”suck it up and don’t cry”… “be strong”. Guess what? People are designed to feel. We have more than one feeling of happiness. There is an array of feelings that we have, and we need to recognize when we are feeling them and how we can deal with them properly. One way to do this is by journaling your feelings. Many rappers or other entertainers do this through their lyrics or other forms of artistry.

W – Welcome New Possibilities: Accept personal evolution, hone on the lessons learned, and find a way to act on the change you want to see. In this phase, we want to do things to change our space (goal setting, changing physical space, etc.). This is a selfish step because it allows you to focus on yourself. Remember being selfish is not necessarily a bad thing. In this case it is needed to accept the new changes that are being encountered. Not everyone will understand the transformation, however you may feel that it is needed so that you can be in a personal space of wholeness. Healing is an individual process that can have an impact on everyone in our lives.

The new year is a possibility for a new start… A refreshing… A new beginning. In 2024, let’s find ways to Welcome New Possibilities and GROW® beyond the space that we are currently in. The G.R.O.W.: Strengths & Assets Based Healing Journal® can be utilized to help you GROW® in 2024! See our Products tab to order.

What’s the Tea for feeling anxious and nervous?

When we are looking at making changes while this should be a joyous occasion bringing about excitement, some of us feel anxious and nervous. A good tea to help calm the nerve is passionflower tea. It has been found that this calming herb is useful for anxiety and insomnia. However, it Is recommended that it is drank in moderation to avoid any adverse effects and/or you consult your physician prior to regular consumption.