2021 passed so fast, and with COVID ups and downs, my memories are blurred – I don’t remember what happened and when.

If you remember at the beginning of the year, my word for 2021 was “FLOW” – and having this word front-of-mind has really helped me. I have been “Flowing” – accepting the need for quiet and recharging (and maybe even a little bit of NETFLIX) when I feel drained. It also means that I have given myself permission to not be super regular with my newsletters these last few months. 

I know that so many of my clients and friends are also wrestling with staying energised and emotionally stable. We are great over-thinkers and over-planners – as though that will erase the tiredness.

So for the holiday season, my gift to you is this lovely poem by Mary Oliver that really resonated for me.

“I worried a lot. Will the garden grow, will the rivers
flow in the right direction, will the earth turn
as it was taught, and if not how shall
I correct it?
Was I right, was I wrong, will I be forgiven,
can I do better?
Will I ever be able to sing, even the sparrows
can do it and I am, well,
hopeless.
Is my eyesight fading or am I just imagining it,
am I going to get rheumatism,
lockjaw, dementia?
Finally I saw that worrying had come to nothing.
And gave it up. And took my old body
and went out into the morning,
and sang.”

I wish you all lots of physical and mental “singing” this holiday season. May you connect with yourselves and with loved ones, and may we all have some respite from worrying.

With warmest holiday wishes,