The week leading up to Christmas

We have been baking and making some goodies!

My daughters love to get in the kitchen with me. We made gingerbread cookies, truffles, cupcakes and a gingerbread house. It gives them something to do each day while they try to be patient and wait for Christmas. They have all been spoilt and well gifted as have I. This very post comes from my iPad mini! 

Merry Christmas everyone! 

So blessed

To have such beautiful friends! Some people are just meant to come into your life I truly believe. I met Anne by chance, we bumped into each other getting off a train and she recognised me from my blog. I was amazed that my blog was actually read to be honest. Anyway, my dear friend Anne sent me a lovely wooly gift, some yummy purple sock wool to help me on my road to  happiness in 2014. Nothing better than happy knitting! Thanks so much Anne, I can't wait to catch up with you at the end of January!

Reverb 13 last day.

Today, I'd like you to revisit what you wrote on 1 December on the first day of Reverb13. How does that compare to where you are now?

Then, without thinking too hard about it, grab a pen and some paper and finish the following five sentences:

2014 is going to be MY YEAR because...I want it to be.

In 2014, I am going to do...what makes me happy.

In 2014, I am going to feel...Happiness!

In 2014, I am not going to...hold on to burdens that are not mine. I am not going to give up on me.

In December 2014, I am going to look back and say...I did it.

Thank you Kat for leading the reverb 13 journey and all those who have come and visited my blog, I have loved all the comments.

The way forward

reverb 13 - day 20

Forward is the only direction.
The mirror never lies, but everything in it is backwards. 

Look at what you see in the mirror. How does it change if you view yourself with eyes that can only look forward?

What does the future hold? I am hoping to continue with my journey to a healthier me, a more positive and grateful me. Looking in the mirror with eyes that can only look forward, I see choices, and I choose happiness, I choose peace, I choose love. I am looking forward to what is forward! 

Self-Compassion

reverb 13 - day 19

The Buddha said, “You, yourself, as much as anybody else in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”

In the past year, I have been on a mission to understand and practice self-compassion, which is sometimes defined as "extending compassion to one's self in instances of perceived inadequacy, failure, or general suffering," and what I have learned has made me realize that this practice is at the heart of everything. 

How will you practice self-compassion?

I intend to practice self compassion with some of the things I have already mentioned:
- Looking after my mind
- Looking after my body
- Forgiving myself
- Perhaps a retreat
- Just taking time to do what makes me happy.

Peace

reverb 13 - day 18.

I am often surprised where I find peace, it is usually in the midst of chaos.
In the midst of living, did you find moments to breathe? Were there moments that held you in the embrace of peace and quiet and pure contentment? 

Did these moments catch you by surprise or did you create the space for peace to find you?

how will you make space for greater peace in 2014?

I am normally a calm and peaceful person, but this year has been a challenge. I think back about 4 months ago and I am sure I would have answered very differently. It would have been - I have had no peace.
 Now I feel like I am closer to the old me, and it has so much to do with finding moments to breathe:
I found peace when I had some time off work.
I found peace when I acknowledged I can't control everything.
I found peace when I let go of burdens that are not mine.
I found peace in forgiveness, this was a big one and I am still working on it, for my memory is so good and when you can't forget its hard to forgive. Forgiving myself is even harder.
I found peace with good old gratitude, because I am ever so lucky for all that I have.
I found peace with sharing, talking to friends and letting them know how I am feeling.

Pure contentment is another thing.
I embraced peace and quiet in the bath with a good book, sitting up the headland with my husband, reading to my girls at bedtime, and generally when I am at home.

Making space for greater peace for 2014 is a goal. That is why I am inviting in happiness! I am continuing with the above. I would love to go to a retreat, but think I will miss my girls too much. So I have been looking at some day retreats.

My word

reverb 13 - day 17.

What word did you select to be your travelling companion in 2013? What gifts did this word bring?
What word will you choose to guide you through 2014? What do you hope it will bring into your life?

My travelling word for 2013 was Gratitude. The gifts it has brought me are endless. I have never chosen a word to accompany me through a year before. The most important gift this word has brought me is knowing gratitude changes everything, it changes what we have into enough.

My word for 2014 is Happiness.It is a simple word and its all I want so I am choosing to be happy and it follows on from gratitude which will stay with me now throughout all of my days so I am hoping happiness will too.