looking back

We're on the cusp of entering a brand new year.

And I'm seeing everywhere, people looking back over their year and breaking it down into what went right and what went wrong. And then looking forward to what the new year will have in store for us.

Have you done this yet? Are you planning to do it?

I have to be honest. I've resisted.

Not because I had a bad year and don't want to revisit it. I attained a lot of internal growth this year which I'm very proud of but, I guess, I just don't like to live in the past or spend time dwelling on the past.

I'm learning to appreciate and love living in the present and enjoying the special moments that I get to enjoy each and every day, when they happen.

The special mornings when the sun peaks from behind a dark cloud and shines on my face while I'm meditating, the crazy excitement expressed by my bunnies when it's time for their breakfast or time for the evening treats. The little moments in each day which make me smile and bring me joy.

So I've been reluctant to look over the past year. I guess because I don't want to distract myself from my joy of the present.

But then I read this beautiful quote and it made me think. And I thought I'd share it with you:
"Sometimes looking back helps us remember what matters most."

And there was just something about that quote that captured me and made me think that looking back once in a while can be a good thing. It can help us remember and appreciate what matters most.

So I have decided to spend a little time looking back over the last year.

I'm not looking to dissect it and determine where I went wrong so I can create a lesson from that for the future. I'm not going to look for examples of things I did well that I can pat myself on the back about.

I'm going to look back on the past year from a heart filled with gratitude.

Gratitude for the times I spent with friends and family whom I don't see very often because I live away from my birth country.

Gratitude for all the adventures I got to enjoy this year thanks to returning good health and beautiful weather.

Gratitude for the love I receive everyday from my family, husband and bunnies.

Gratitude for the small, simple things we all too often take for granted.

And I decided that sometimes. Just sometimes. It's also good to look back too, when you do so with a heart filled with gratitude.

Viv xx