Shine on 2014 ....

Phew I cant believe 2013 is almost coming to a close. For me its been an epic year of self development and finally uncovering  wonderful things that have made my heart sing (and occasionally rock me to the core).

I am beginning to really find, listen and trust my inner voice. I know that I will it will continue to play a big part and I will only begin to hear and let it guide me forth more in 2014.

I have made some of the most positive lifestyle shifts of my whole entire life. Not one of them has felt like deprivation or just a short term fix.   After all these years I began to treat my body with the kind of respect it truly deserves, not just with the food I consume, but in the way I treat my mind.  There is still alot of work to be done here, but it is something I will put alot of effort into in the coming new year.

I have finally released myself from the long and sordid battle with diets in favour of a whole food, gluten free, organic (mostly) way of life. I have finally accepted that food is in my life to nurture me, not torture me, that what I put in is designed to nourish me from the inside out.  I have known this all along, but finally I was ready to take the steps to make the changes. 

Regardless of what I eat,  it  was in  giving up the mental torment of dieting and using some intuitive eating techniques that really gave me freedom and paved the way for even greater change.
This all happened in March and led to a cascade of other events that have really shaped my year. Its funny how I don't feel like the same person I was 6 months ago, let alone 12 months.  

There has been so much love and light in my year, but with that light, I have learnt that there always needs to be the balance of darkness, the lesson's from the hard times endured have and will be invaluable forever.

I have learnt to live, breathe and conquer in the face  of  uncertainty, fear, control and judgement. I have learnt relinquishing the need to know what was around the corner in favour of just staying and happily accepting the present moment has been one of the greatest gifts. 

I am still embracing the art of vulnerability and become braver in my willingness to put myself out there no matter what the outcome.  It definitely hasn't come easily to me but I have learnt that, that is ok to.

I have made some much adored friendships, strengthened others and with no animosity let the others that did not serve me gently float away.

I look forward to being able to share my journey here, to unveil more and more clarity in my life. Its exciting and scary to know 2014 will provide  more great challenges, but I know I have put in place  the foundation to be able to accept these with grace rather than resistance. 

Heading into my 35th year  I feel like I am just getting to the core of who I am and what I am about. I have this sense that I have been gently chipping away, chipping away to uncover the real me, and in 2014 I am well and truly ready to crack myself open.

So as a bit of a reflection, here are a few of my highlights reel of 2013.  And in the words of the remarkable John Lennon.... We all Shine on, like the moon, the stars and the sun. 

Bring it 2014....