February 28, 2024
Each December, after the craziness of the Holidays, I take the time to reflect on the past year. I honor my accomplishments, recall the lessons learned and think about what I want to let go of. What I want to release.
More importantly, I spend time thinking about want I want to call into my life over the next twelve months.
Taking the time to really be clear on what no longer serves me and needs to be let go helps me to focus on what I do need to be the best version of myself in the coming year. Letting go, the releasing part is not always easy for me. What about for you?
Do you take a time out to really reflect on what you need to let go of and what you want to manifest for yourself in the New Year?
This past December, after being given an option for early retirement, I had to let go of my professional identity as a physician executive. And as crazy as it might sound, it was not easy to let go of the stress, the long list of emails to be read, the Board presentations to be completed, the daily zoom meetings, and responsibility for my team. Those first few weeks I missed the Outlook app on my phone and checking my emails.
Weird, right?
I knew retirement was better for my health and wellbeing. I knew it would provide me the chance to have my own wellness and development business, which I had dreamt about for several years. It was providing me a chance to write the book I had been secretly planning for some time.
So why did it feel hard to let go? I think a lot of it was my ego.
And some fear.
And a slight feeling of failure or feeling deflated.
This had been my M.O. for over 25 years. To have everything change in just a few short weeks just felt odd, especially since it had been out of my control.
I decided to take back some control and do a ritual for myself. To help me let go of my previous role and all that went with it. I wrote down on a piece of paper all that I needed and wanted to let go of. Then lit it on fire and let it burn away and said Thank You to the universe for all I had gained and learned from the job, my work and most importantly the last year.
I watched as the paper burned and turned to ash. Doing something tangible, such as the ritual above, helped me to have closure on the year, and my old job.
I was then able focus more on what I wanted to bring into my life. What I wanted to manifest in 2024.
What is manifesting?
Manifesting is the act of identifying what you want to bring into your reality. Your life. It is letting the universe know what your intention is for yourself.
It is about bringing into your current life what you wish for.
Manifesting is a bit like magic. You dream it and then decide that it will happen. How it happens may not be clear. The how does not matter at this point, only that you will it to be. And you not only will it to be you visualize it. Feel what it would be like to achieve your desire or wish even before it becomes a reality for you.
Now, you need to be sure it is something you want. Remember that old saying, “be careful what you wish for, because it may come true?” That’s manifesting.
And if I am being truthful here, I manifested my own recent change of employment status.
I had been thinking about an early retirement for several months and had been putting off my resignation until after the Holidays. During my recovery in the summer, I decided it was time for me to do something else.
That my health was more important than my job.
That there was more I wanted to do in my life.
I had applied for state approval for my planned coaching and wellness business and was working with a friend to build a website and social marketing plan. I had told my husband I was ready to resign. I just wasn’t sure about the timing.
The timing took care of itself.
My position was eliminated, and just like that I was retired. The universe worked its plan, and my desire became a reality.
This was not my first-time manifesting. I had been practicing it for some time with good success. I had read The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. Participated in Gabby Bernstein’s annual Manifesting Challenge and was a believer in the magic of manifestation. To manifest to be your best. And here’s the thing. Anybody can do it.
Yes, anybody.
That means you.
So how does it work? The first is to let go of what does not currently serve you to make room for what you do want in your life. Just like spring cleaning your closet to make room for the new season’s fashions, you get rid of the junk you really don’t want or need. Make room for what you do want.
Next, take time to reflect and ask yourself what it is that you want to bring into your life. Is it money? A promotion? Better balance in your life? Or a new relationship with someone that really gets you and appreciates the person you are?
The ‘what” is your heart’s desire. Your intent for your future. You don’t have to know the how, you just need to trust in the process.
However, there is a catch.
You can’t just wish or dream, you must also take action. You need to feel and visualize what having your dream fulfilled would feel and look like. That’s right, you must feel it and be clear of what success looks like once accomplished.
How would you know that you had achieved your wish or goal? Use your five senses and words to describe what having your wish would mean for you.
The more descriptive the better.
Write it down, draw a picture, say it aloud. Better yet, share it with a friend or family member. What that apartment would look and smell like. What that money in the bank would allow you to do. You get the picture.
What has worked well for me has been to not only write it out but create a vision board with pictures that bring life to my wish and goals and give me a picture of what I want to achieve. It is super fun and is a tangible way of expressing my vision for what is possible. This is mine from a few years ago.
What do you want to manifest to be your best in 2024?
For me it is to publish that book and get moving on my new business. I am not sure how it will all work out, but I do trust it will be in my best interest and will help me in my journey for growth and wellness.
Share with us what you would like to manifest in your life this year.
Light and Love
Jackie
Such a wonderful, thoughtful post. I can certainly appreciate the power of manifesting – believing in ones self, the vision we see for ourselves (and can almost touch) and the immense strength and capability inside each of us! Congratulations on this next chapter in your distinguished career!