The unexamined life is not worth living.

-Socrates

We do not learn from our experience. We learn from reflecting on experience.

-John Dewey

The theme for last month’s yoga retreat was reflection. We spent four days looking back over this year, considering where we are in life and how we got there. On the first night of all retreats I include the journaling prompt, “How are you arriving? How are you feeling physically, spiritually and emotionally?” This would be an opportunity to give deeper thought to those answers.

Reflection is a gift that allows you to look back on your accomplishments. It allows you to discern what worked from what did not, and use that information to move forward stronger than how you began. It is fundamental to personal growth and can be accomplished only in a moment of contemplative rest.

-Sandra Dalton-Smith, MD

Before we can really think about making plans or resolutions for the new year, we have to give thought to this year. Before we fill up our calendars with activities, maybe we should think about how all that activity made us feel. Are there things we’d like to add to our lives, and what needs to be taken out to make space for that?

My schedule is far less about what I want to get done and far more about who I want to become.

-Bill Hybels

Perhaps figuring out who we want to become is the first question to ask ourselves. Are our actions leading us in that direction? Are we on the right path or are there changes that need to be made? Lately I’ve been praying for God to guide both my path and my pace. It can be easy for momentum to take over, and I’ve learned the importance of scheduling rest.

How are you feeling physically, spiritually and emotionally? I encourage you to take time to reflect on how you got here, how you’d like things to be and who you want to be in the new year.

Click on this link if you would like to start with a daily reflection. https://youtu.be/CMbEupieNhA