As I lie on my back in yoga class this morning, the instructor asked us to compassionately review the year that has passed, offering gratitude; with the caveat that if it was a rough year, affirm that we survived it. I loved that: I needed the reminder to originate from the safe space of compassion as I look backward. It’s been a rough 4 years, but I have also gained much, accomplished much, and have plenty for which to celebrate myself... One of my You Tube Channels: Lots of vids on Tibet, India, China, etc.! https://www.youtube.com/user/iGallivant/videos ...The first thing that flashed in all its tasty vividity was my trip to Kham Tibet this summer, followed by my travels to India, and my move to Australia 3 months ago! From a singular good memory of spending time traveling through Tibet flowed more gratitude and acknowledgment of all the good that has happened in 2019, and grasping backward--hell, I moved to China in 2018! I’ve visited 4 countries in less than one year! First India, then Hong Kong, then Tibet and now Australia! The travels by themselves are worth a feeling of awe! Add to all of that, what some would call luck (though that is inaccurate, because it was choice and intention rather than luck--okay, maybe a touch of luck!), the fact that I have (made another intentional choice) taken a sabbatical year to write and pursue my dream of becoming a published writer! If I only look at my travels and current time off, 2019 has been one of the best years of my life! To go further, spending time in Kham these past two summers were two of the most memorable trips I have taken. My stays in Tibet are some of the best times in my life, ranking up there with my motorcycle trip across the US in 2008, backpacking across Spain in 2003, and sailing across oceans 2003-2008! Therefore, I did have a great year in retrospect and have much for which to be grateful, if I ignore all the crap that happened. I definitely had some rough patches with work and health and mental state; my emotional resilience is still not what it once was, making my ability to manage stress much more difficult. I was sick from the air pollution in China numerous times, had a really bad bout with bronchitis, fell and broke my arm, and hated just about every second of my life spent at work (that is not hyperbole!),which ended up carrying over into my personal life due to that low emotional resilience. On the other hand, I started dating again and had a boyfriend until he got a little cray possessive and I called that quits quickly. I also bought a treadmill and started running again. To review of last year, now that it is over and I am away from all the stressors, I can say it was a good year, mainly because of all the traveling I did. I also did my best to maintain my health the best I could. I have many NEW GOALS, some the same, for 2020. I’ve kickstarted the year with a liquid fast for 3 days, to be followed by a Nourishment Strategy (physical/emotional/mental), including a weight-loss/nutrition strategy over the next few weeks. I know that seeing some change will be motivating and empowering as I move forward and gain back some of my energy and confidence. I joined a local yoga studio and I love the classes there--I also get to bike to and from the studio, so that adds in some cardio. I am continuing the therapeutic massage and acupuncture I started in November at the community acupuncture clinic. I’d go there twice a week if I could! I intend to start running again along with the biking and yoga. I really want to get my yoga practice back on track this year through consistent meditation and pranayama. I will change some unhealthy habits I have slipped into, replacing them with positive habits I have had in the past. I realize I cannot go back and return to how I used to be; I must create new pathways, both neural pathways and behavioral pathways! With big changes to improve my health and physical aspect, the results will affect my emotional and mental well-being as well. I still intend to join the women’s hiking group since I may stay in Melbourne a while longer, and I need some friends here, badly! There is also a local writer’s group I may join. I am going to start connecting through Meetup, which is really big in Australia! As far as income and work, I intend to continue working up to my goal of writing 2000 words each day, with the ultimate goal of submission and publication. I still need to get some type of digital nomad job so that I can bring in an income online and keep traveling. Since the new year has begun, I will focus on submitting applications to a list of companies I have and also start editing articles for submission. Once money starts flowing, I can relax a little and truly focus on writing and where I want to be for the rest of the year. Although I miss teaching, part of me wants to work independently. I will look into volunteer teaching and tutoring online. I also plan to continue my study of piano and pursue other creative work like chess and drawing and the like. It seems my goals and intentions run along the lines of physical and emotional health and well-being, as is the pattern in my life through the years. I want to experience life in Australia to the fullest, and in order to do so, I need to be healthy, feel happy and confident, and have an income stream to live my dreams! My 2020 Mantra is: I can do it!!
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Gina is...surprised it is 2020! Holy crap when did that happen! Archives
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