8 Key Takeaways from 2022: Insights and Lessons Learned
My goodness, what a ride it was. As I look back on the peaks and valleys that marked the last 12 months, I feel deeply grateful for the mental and spiritual tools I've worked on honing throughout my 20s. The events that could have shaken me to my core instead left me feeling empowered and stronger. I feel like I embodied two archetypes this last year: the Warrior and the Visionary. What were yours? Let us know in the comments. With that in mind, here are my 8 takeaways (rememberings and lessons) from our last collective trip around the sun:
The sooner we can accept that life is inherently challenging, the better. Otherwise, we'll be swimming against the current of life until we die. Ironically, this surrendering - this acceptance - can lead to great optimism. We begin to see our challenges as opportunities and even as gifts to help us grow in this pressure cooker we call life.
Your trust in Source (and ultimately, in yourself) will bring you through anything. All of my spiritual practices and intentional discoveries of self are designed to bring me back home to God. While life is challenging, I do believe it's designed (almost gamified) to bring us back to love - always. Because love is the energy of creation - the energy of God. I challenge myself daily to practice those trust falls: 'Everything is working out best case scenario.'
'When you look good, you feel good.' Or, 'when you feel good, you look good.' My happiest stretches of time have always lined up with how much movement I'm getting, how nutritional my meals are, and how deep my breathing is. Our bodies are sacred tools of communication with spirit. They are always letting us know where we are still holding density and synching up with our brains to send our spirit messages. So, back to basics here: take care of your body, treat it like a temple, and in turn, watch your mental and spiritual well-being accelerate. I'm still working on this one!
Nothing beats consistent, action-oriented focus. I used to call this 'hard work,' now I call it diligence. This is why whatever you wish to pursue, you've got to become obsessed with. You've really got to love it. Because maintaining an intense level of focus requires genuine curiosity as fuel. Furthermore, your love for your work will bring you through the inevitable pitfalls. The Universe will ask you: are you going to give up? You will be tested. But you will pass every single test if you are doing something you genuinely love - something you would do without getting paid for it. We all have an internal flame, a passion. If you haven't unveiled yours yet - keep following your pings. Notice the small curiosities that pop up daily. What are you naturally reading, researching, watching, searching? Follow that.
Embracing your authentic rhythm of life will save you from so much pain of comparison. For example, learning that I am a Projector in Human Design felt like a wave of relief washing over every cell. I finally understood why I work in short spurts, why I'm so active at night, why I need so much rest, why I'm sometimes a 'know-it-all' (LOL). I used to beat myself up for sleeping in later than everyone I knew or being more introverted or having particular standards. Now, the things I used to be self-conscious about are some of my greatest strengths.
Continue your education. I think we can see how lack of education plays out on a global scale. Continuing your education will not only make you smarter, it will also make you more compassionate. Keep honing your skills not just for your own good, but for the good of your friends, family, community, and all of humanity. This is our evolutionary responsibility.
Setting boundaries is not unkind (when done respectfully, of course). In fact, it helps everyone. For example, I had a friend who would cancel on me last-minute every single time. By the sixth time she did it, I really had to ask myself, 'Is this the level of respect you deserve, Helen?' Of course, it wasn't. So, I was honest with her and let her know that I wouldn't be making plans again. Even though I loved her, I wasn't willing to tolerate that pattern. I said this as kindly as possible, and I believe it helped her on a bigger level. She got a good look at her relationships and how she was showing up in general. We both got to increase our levels of self-worth with radical awareness and self-responsibility. And don't forget to include forgiveness in this practice. We are all doing the best we can with what we know.
Nature heals all. Some of my greatest moments of healing in 2022 were on my camping trips in Big Sur, Joshua Tree, and the islands of Maine. Sleeping under the stars, laying your body on the earth, swimming in the ocean - it brings us home. We are reminded of who we really are. We are nature. Go to nature. On that note, always having my camping gear packed and ready has given me complete liberation. At any point, you can take your tent and your cozy clothes and retreat to nature. There are gorgeous state parks everywhere! Set yourself free.
Keep going, sweet soul. Life has so many amazing adventures in store for you. Let me know which takeaway resonated with you the most. I love you. x Helen
++ Stream 🎙The Lifted Podcast to deepen your healing journey. Love, Helen
