Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone !
Counting down to the end of the year 2021, I had never truly practised year-end reflection nor believed in making new year resolutions…but since writing my weekly blog, self-reflection is a habit I have been trying to develop.
So for those of you out there who can truly practise and keep your new year’s resolutions on track, you have my highest respect for your discipline and determination.
As we wrap up the year, sharing here few key life long lessons which I hope you find useful.
Learning To Accept Life Is Not Perfect…
In the early part of this year, I have spent and wasted a lot of my precious time on social media. Well, I have all the time right, after all I am newly retired. It was toxic, I began to wonder if my life was so imperfect as I coveted the so-called perfect life being portrayed in social media.
Real life is never perfect. There will always be ups and downs. The more you recognise this and face those challenging situations fearlessly as it comes, the happier you will become. More importantly beyond acceptance is to take appropriate actions and stop dwelling on why things didn’t turn out the way we wished them to be.
Learning To Let Go…
Some things are really not worth clinging on and could become harmful if we do not know how to let go. Our past is important, it is our experience and it makes us wiser. But the past is also our stress, our frustration or anger and it makes us unhappy. I have seen both versions of myself and I certainly prefer the wiser me.
Try to practise simple daily quiet sitting. I find this to be a good start towards meditation. It can help calm one’s mind, make us more self aware of bad habits and to let go of them before they become harmful.
Learning To Enjoy Simple Things…
Covid19 has changed many perspectives. There are many unfortunate things that came with Covid but it has also taught me to appreciate the simple things in life that matters. Life need not be too complicated, no need to overthink. I am enjoying simple things such as :
- Respecting my quiet time with prayers
- Laughing heartily in good company of people
- Loving simple meals time with family
- Doing things I love, such as a good massage
- Relaxing with a home brewed coffee while reading
- Bringing joy to self and others by exercising loving kindness’s
Be Patient…
The lessons seem straightforward and can bring much pleasure and happiness, but it is not easy at all to cultivate the practice consistently. It is a long journey for many more years to come or a lifetime to go….Be patient and grateful for another year of progress, however slow it may be, it is still progress.
Lyn 🌻😊
Merry Christmas to you Lyn and your followers, including myself. We work, earn to bring food to table, pay for the roof over our head, provide many things for our lifestyle, our family and saving money for growing old comfortably. What’s installed for life after Retirement from one’s chosen career. There are lots ahead to explore oneself and others, to realise positive things, the good, the kindness, the simple things in life which you are now embracing successfully. Back tracking into one’s life history must provide refection which move you forward to helping others, which you are doing so well in your blog of excellent weekly articles. You have the leadership and You can spread words of kindness and peace which we need now. Thank you and good luck
Merry Christmas Spring and thank you so much for your kind words. Your comments are always so insightful with full of wisdom and kindness. Indeed so much we can do meaningfully, even post retirement and I am so encouraged to know you enjoy and can benefit from my blog. Your comments has benefited me and I believe my other readers too.
Thanks Lyn! Great blog! Reminds me of wordings on my cushion which I’m still learning – Live Simply, Dream Big, Be Grateful, Give Love, Laugh Lots! Your blog embodies all of these traits! Enjoy the Christmas and New Year celebrations with your loved ones!
Thank you and so happy you resonated with the article ! May you have a great holiday seasons too and all my best wishes for 2022 !
Hi lyn, Merry Christmas & happy new year 2022. Stay safe with family.
Enjoy reading your blogs, life is not perfect. Practice in quiet place be grateful Live simple and be happy!
Thanks for all the amazing articles!!
Trying to practice it but its not easy for me
Thanks for your advice
Enjoy your holidays with your family.
SL, glad you enjoy reading my blog and thank you so much for your well wishes.
Yes not easy to practise, I wish you all the very best in your journey.
Lyn always enjoy reading your interesting blog. As we wrap up 2021, my takeaways is need to learn from the past and move on, practise quiet time to mediate and reflect. Most important, enjoy simple things, share your joy, practice patient and gratefulness. It can take a lot of effort but we try. Let’s welcome 2022 with new beginnings and fresh start. Wishing u and your readers Happy New Year 2022
Thank you Eliza for sharing your 2021 key takeaways and I wish you every success and happiness in life.
Tks for sharing Lyn
Yes life is not perfect but still able to find happiness in simple things is a JOY
I love your simple quote, it’s so real ! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts!
Thanks for sharing Lyn.
There are many simple things in life which can make us happy. For example, a good simple meal with friends or our loved ones, a nice walk at the beach or even a nice ride on top of a double decker bus. If we take time to appreciate them, we will find that there are so many things to enjoy in life. I totally agree with you. Life need not be too complicated. To me, simplicity is bliss!
Nice summary.. take time to appreciate simple things in life, simplicity is bliss! Thank you SKL, I always learn something from your sharing.