You are wise.
How do I know that? Well, you can’t do the work I do without realizing at some point that people are filled with ocean-deep understanding, about themselves and about life.
Of course, it’s easy to get disconnected from this inner wisdom. We forget and remember it a million times in our lives, because that’s what human beings do. Still, it’s there. It’s always there.
And you are wise.
Now that we’ve come to the end of another year there’s a lot of looking back at where we’ve been and gearing up for where we’re going. In the midst of this transition what I want most for all of us is to ground ourselves in this moment, and remember right now the wisdom that’s deep down inside of us.
The wisdom that’s there for all time: past, present, future. Ready and waiting to guide us.
One of best ways I know to do this is to ponder this prompt:
If I could go back and visit with myself a year ago, the wisdom I would most want to share with me is…
You can free write it. Roll your thoughts around it. Speak, dance, sing or paint it. Meditate on it. Anything, really.
Simply give it a few minutes of your time and I just bet some wisdom will appear. Something that was guiding you all along, but maybe you didn’t realize it. Something that will continue to be there for you as you go forward in life.
Because you are wise.
As I was getting grounded in my own year end wisdom, I had a thought: it would be fun to reach out to a handful of wise women I know online, and ask them to join me in doing the prompt.
So that’s just what I did. And I so love their responses.
Because they are wise…
If I could go back and visit with myself a year ago, the wisdom I would most want to share with me is to speak up even sooner, to speak up even louder, to speak up even more powerfully, to be even less afraid of the ramifications of doing the right thing in my world. Let doing the right thing be the compass that continues to guide me through life, that encourages me to take the path less travelled, that encourages me to be a voice for those who don’t yet have their own voices. -Giulietta “Julie” Nardone. Visit Julie at Giulietta the Muse.
If I could go back and visit with myself a year ago, the wisdom I would most want to share with myself is that it doesn’t all have to happen the way you planned it. There’s magic in the unexpected! -Charlotte Rains Dixon. Visit Charlotte at Wordstrumpet.
Funny that you should talk about the wisdom of the last year. Very recently I asked myself, “what would I tell my 20 year old self, if I could?” And it’s the same as I would tell the Maryse of a year ago: Stop fighting Life. Accept it and embrace it in all its glory and ugliness. Learn to ride the waves with a trusting and grateful heart; practice giving thanks for the light and choose to grow through the dark. The very nature of Life won’t change to suit you so stop, breathe, and understand that the gift is Life itself, just as it is, and not as you think you want it to be. -Maryse Godet. Visit Maryse at BluAmaryllis and Meditate Like a Girl.
I had no idea at the beginning of last year the tumult I would experience in 2013. I would have loved to tell my sweet self, “Trust your gut. When you get a feeling things aren’t right it is because they aren’t. Take action. Don’t stop trusting and acting, acting and trusting.” I would also remind her/me to remember everything will be fine. Just ride the wave….trust and act and trust. -Julie Jordan Scott. Visit Julie at Julie Unplugged.
If I could go back and visit with myself a year ago, the wisdom I would most want to share with me is to trust my doubt and welcome it. It (she?) truly has been a companion worth knowing and has moved me forward in new ways. She’s pretty wobbly and uncertain in her shoes, but still, she manages to keep on walking! And she unexpectedly feeds my curiosity, which has helped me to get out of some stuck places. -Patty Bechtold
Many thanks to Giulietta, Charlotte, Maryse and Julie!
And now, I’m curious. What wisdom would you bring to your year-ago-self? Please share in the comments.
And always remember this: you are wise.
my wise bookmark came from stitching on paper & adding glitter paint, which I didn’t even know existed until I reached into my stash & discovered I’d bought it. Here’s to happy accidents & happy holidays!
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living deep studio 
I am so honored to be in such great company on this post, Patty! Happy holidays and a fabulous new year to all!
So honored to have you!
This one’s from Giulietta:
Hi Patty!
Love the post. Am happy to be part of it as well. We need more folks to connect with their own wisdom. Shall we call it spiritual technology so it can get funding?
Enjoy 2014.
Giulietta “Julie” Nardone
I think we could sell “spiritual technology!”
Thank you again, dear Patty, for allowing me to be part of this wonderful post. Not sure I’m wise but I’m certainly wiser than I used to be and I’m grateful for that. And for you. Happy Holidays and Happy 2014!!
Oh, you’re wise Maryse. No doubt about that.
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Mmmm, I love these responses – they feel like an ocean of grace. Thank you, Patty, for putting this together!
I loved reading this post and the responses. I was most taken with Charlotte’s comment. I loved her words, “There’s magic in the unexpected!”
I suppose because if I had to respond to your request it would be to say to myself “Don’t be afraid of life’s dark corners — the ones that scare you and make you hesitate. Dare to look at them. Let your eyes adjust. You may discover something new and important about yourself.”
2013 was a difficult year for me — there were lots of dark corners, but I’m learning to look at them and I am discovering new things about myself:~)