Feeling the excitement and possibility as to what may lie ahead in the coming year? Heart buzzing with exciting resolutions and intentions? And are they swirling about all your conversations with friends, loved ones, co-workers and your therapist/coach? Of course you are! The New Year has a special way of tapping us into that place within that holds all of our unmanifest hopes and dreams - just beckoning to be painted on the blank canvas of the coming days and weeks and months.An often overlooked pre-requisite for gaining insights into how to move forward in a way that feels better than ever, and set clear intentions to make that happen, is to do a personal end of year inventory.  Ask yourself:

What have we accumulated over the year?Life experiences.Goals achieved.Possible failures, setbacks or disappointments.For some, illness or loss.

Why do this?

In order to set intentions and goals that truly serve you stepping into life in a way that feels suuupppeerrr good, it is necessary to go within and listen to your intuition, your higher self, your divine presence – to hear the truth, YOUR truth – of who you are and why you are – how you can have impact, find meaning and joy in your daily life.  These are the truths we often avoid - but are always there if we choose to sit in stillness – and venture within to truly listen.Every single experience you've had in your life has given you information. This information has shaped your perspective in any given moment, which in turn shapes the story you create and experience for yourself. Think about every single moment you've had, and all that info floating around in your consciousness and your subconsciousness ....that is A LOT of space being taken up in your heart and mind! And just like with any baggage – it can weigh us down and slow us down. It can be distracting and cumbersome.  And if it’s too heavy to carry – we can no longer move forward – we become immobile under its weight. It's as if there isn't enough momentum in the whole Universe to propel us forward to accomplish our goals with all that hanging on us – which, in turn, leads us to a massive stall on the fulfillment of dreams front. Aka....depression.

This is where the Inventory comes in:

Taking personal inventory provides you the opportunity to reflect on the positive as well as the shadow aspects of the year. And when we honor the shadows and listen to the messages they were here to teach – the light is restored and the shadows cannot exist in the light.By illuminating the shadows – your fears, resentments, your envy, procrastination – any old assumptions or limiting beliefs that might be lurking that creates more of that energy which reinforces or attracts more of what we don’t want. It's an experience that speaks for itself, so let's dive in!

Here’s how it works:

+ Allow yourself 30 min to an hour.   + You will need a journal or pen and paper.  + Turn off all devices and really gift yourself this time of presence and reflection.  + Light a few candles, take some deep breathes and settle into the stillness with eyes closed.  + Let go of any distractions of the day and relax any areas holding tension in your body. Take a few more deep breathes and really settle into the quiet, the stillness – the present moment.

Ask yourself:

+ What am I angry about?

+ What am I resentful or irritated at – people, places, intuitions, or yourself perhaps?

+ What am I worried about?

+ Where am I holding tension or pain in my body? Any other ailments or conditions I want to release?

+ What are my fears?

+ What am I sad about?

Take your time and write your answers to these questions. The information these questions pull out of you are the things taking up mental and emotional space - and could be even manifesting physically.

After you've answered the questions above...

+ What is holding onto these things costing you???

+ What would it feel like to release these things?

+ Are you willing to release these shadow aspects to create space for newness to flow in??

Next, ask yourself:

+ What are my biggest lessons of this past year?

+ Where have I grown?

+ What could I have done differently this year to get better results?

+ What did I do well?

+ What are area for more improvement?

+ What are the highlights or bright spots of this year?

+ What did I accomplish?

Finally:

Make a list of all the things you are grateful for from 2018.  

Not just external but internal. Look for the smaller quieter moments too.  Free flow here for as long as your soul moves you……

And now....you are all set to fully dive into co-creating the coming year, rather than living out of habit.xo,Josh