Enjoy the holiday second way: Reflect back

Look back, take stock, and celebrate.

While the first way: Stay in the Body is concrete and personal, the next two have a more contemplative and cerebral quality to them.

The question is then, how to do these things. There are a million ways. Right now what’s springing to mind is to suggest with a friend, or to set a date or two with yourself, to do these things intentionally. You might put on your calendar for a day of this weekend, or the one right before or after the bigger holiday events coming up, a two hour window at your favorite coffee shop or nook, to meet or factetime a copascetic friend or on your own, to come together write and share on the following.

To reflect:

• What happened this year?
• What was gained?
• What was lost?
• What’s here now?
• What do I want to acknowledge in myself? In those closest to me?
• What I am grateful for?
• Other questions might arise that you want to reflect on.
• What’s in process?
• What is over? What is beginning?

A few guidelines:

Don’t force anyone to do this. Including yourself. No 14 year old kid is likely going to want to answer these questions. That’s ok.

If doing this in a group or with friends, let everyone be and respond as they want to. It’s not a time for advice giving or opining. This was everyone feels safe.
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When I do this kind of thing with a friend, I find it helpful to share the questions and write on them, and then each person has time to share out loud what they wrote.