Reflecting on the year that was and the lessons learnt

Usually towards the end of the year I reflect on the months gone by and set my goals for the year ahead. For the last few years this ritual has been preceded by watching The Secret by Rhonda Byrne.

The Secret taught me a couple of things:

• to live more consciously
• to create a vision board with pictures of what you desire and by focusing on this subconsciously and seeing it regularly you attract it into your life (goal/intention setting) obviously you need to do the hard work too and take action
• to have a positive energy and talk about the good in the world
• to be grateful and to acknowledge this often, especially to the people you love and appreciate.

Continue to read this post as I share some of the lessons I learnt during 2015 through reflection, my experiences and the people I've met and interacted with...

Goal setting and the power of a vision board

My journey with The Secret started in 2007 and since then I've achieved many of the things I've set my mind on. It is a surreal feeling when it happens and a bit eerie when you view your vision board and the reality that you experienced is almost exactly as you envisioned in the picture.

The postcard vision board I created in 2013

This happened with a dream of mine to go to Hawaii. I created the vision board in 2013 and it was a future-dated (2014) postcard I made with pictures of Hawaii and myself and my husband lying on the beach. I put it on my divider at work and often it would spark conversations with colleagues and in that way it was always at the top of my mind.

In December 2014 we flew to the United States to visit family and booked a family trip to Maui, Hawaii in the new year. Hawaii was everything I could have ever imagined. The quintessential tropical island with white sandy beaches, some had volcanic rocks on them, amazing sunsets, an array of different colored hibiscus trees that were ubiquitous and warm, azure water with an abundance of wildlife. We could see the turtles swimming in the ocean while we were standing on the shore and even spotted some whales on a snorkeling trip to Molokini Island.

When you achieve a dream you had for so long, the experience moves you in an indescribable way. And on the first night in Hawaii I sat on the balcony of the house we stayed at (thanks to Airbnb) and was overwhelmed by emotion. The realisation that you can achieve whatever you set your mind to and the fact that I was sitting on an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean was testament to this. 

The actual pictures from our Hawaii trip

Realising the dream...

The view from the balcony on our first night in Hawaii.

Picture perfect

Catching a Hawaiian sunset

Footprints in the sand, forever in my heart.

Coconut-crusted shrimp with rice and salad.

Waleed and I on the beach.

Coconut trees frame the view of the ocean and another amazing sunset.

How amazing is this water? Taken from the boat before we snorkeled.

My favourite flower

The postcard I sent myself from Hawaii.
It arrived a few weeks after we got home.

But achieving what you set your mind on requires focus, hard work, dedication and an unwavering belief that it is possible. It is definitely a lot harder to live consciously, to channel positive thoughts and focus on the good in everything but it is by far the best way to live.

Spend quality time with the people you love

A family portrait.

As human beings, connecting with people and spending time with your nearest and dearest renews your energy and allows you to learn things about yourself. You see how people perceive you and often those closest to us are brutally honest, which in healthy doses is good.

It allows you to reflect on the good and not so good and change or adapt what is needed. I'm not suggesting changing who you are to satisfy people at all. Rather it is to reflect on your behavior, actions and essence and being the best you can be. Family and loved ones also exude unconditional love and so you can relax and be yourself, love, laugh and be merry.

Try new things 

I tried Bikram Yoga last year and loved it.

Explore more...Do things you wouldn't necessarily do. Take the road less traveled and try new things. You never know you might end up enjoying it.

Prioritise me time

I often need to sit or walk in nature, enjoy the fresh air, listen to the birds tweet and the wind swoosh and reflect on what has happened and think about how I'd like to improve certain things. I also find that taking time out and doing things for myself is a luxury I don't often enjoy. So in 2016 I'm definitely going to try to do more...

The view on an afternoon walk along the V & A coastline.

A sunset stroll with friends at St. James

Sitting outside while I do my own pedicure.

I love Mindy... she's hilarious.

Invest in learning (read more)

Investing in your education is the best investment you'll ever make. It doesn't have to be a formal qualification at a prestigious university or college (but if you can afford it then do it as well). Rather pick up a book and read something you are passionate or curious about, which is another form of pursuing education. Try to read and consume as many different subjects to broaden your horizons.

I mostly read books that can be found in the self-help and business sections of book stores. Occasionally, I enjoy a trashy holiday read too. I even tried an audio-book last year, The Martian by Andy Weir, narrated by R. C. Bray, which I absolutely loved. I was amazed at how much time you waste in traffic when you listen to the radio. I ferociously consumed the almost 11-hour audio-book in a few days.

Some of my 2015 books

Two quotes by one of my favourite authors... Robin Sharma

Change is as good as a holiday

Before...

Many times we prefer the status quo. We don't like to rock the boat or do anything drastic. Whether consciously or unconsciously, we fear change... But most of the time change is good. It allows you to look at things differently or just look different.

I chopped of 3/4 of my hair last year and the look was bold, refreshing and surprisingly, it suited me. Sometimes you've got to take a chance otherwise you'll never know what could have been. 

And you know what, if you don't like it or it doesn't work out, you cut your losses and you move on (or it grows back)...

After...

Pursue your passions with vigor 

Do more of the things you love. It makes you happy, content and sometimes aids a sense of accomplishment. Whether it is a hobby, sport or just a talent... do more...

I have a baking fetish

Lemon and peppermint macaroons

Cranberry macaroons

My signature red velvet cupcakes

A picture to illustrate the point.

A lot can happen in a year, so make it count

Life changes drastically over 365 days. So make each minute count. We often put things off until tomorrow or next year.
Become a yes person and just do it!

If you reflect on the year gone by you will notice that if you did not take action or change something you would be one year further from achieving your goal.

Disappointments are not setbacks they are character-building

Life is not perfect. Sometimes it is difficult and the lessons the universe sends us is hard to fathom and even more difficult to accept. I believe that things happen for a reason and I know that good will prevail, it always does. 

So whatever you are facing, remember that to enjoy the sunshine you've got to experience the rain. Take stock of what the lessons are when you are going through a difficult period. Often the lesson is learnt in hindsight and through reflection.

When I experience a difficult moment I think of a quote by Pema Chondron - "You are the sky and everything else is the weather". My interpretation is you are above all this and it too shall pass.

Enjoy the simple things in life!

Encourage and motivate people to be the best they can be...

With my brother at his graduation.

One of my favorite quotes by Robin Sharma is "Your job as a leader is to grow more leaders". Whether at work or home, encourage and motivate people to be the best they can be. To learn, to grow and improve on the person they were yesterday. 

Ask and you will receive

I was raised to be independent and self-sufficient. To not ask anyone for anything. So one of the tough lessons I learnt in 2015 was to put my pride in my pocket and ask for help.

My brother needed an increment borer for varsity. I Googled and found strangers in KZN and Pretoria who had never met me but were willing to help. They even referred me to people in Cape Town who could help. Some were willing to send me the device on the basis of trust and this was encouraging.

I was astounded by how willing complete strangers are to help you if you ask. It reinforces that there are lots of good people in the world. People who are willing to help and expect nothing in return. Be one of those people and pay it forward.

Who died and made you G*d?

Leave the judging to the higher power. One of the flaws of being human is that sometimes we judge people. When meeting someone for the first time the visual clues like what they are wearing, driving, where they live, etc. all inform our perceptions about them. But you never know the true journey someone is walking and it is between them and their maker. Try to be less judgmental and work on self improvement rather than being critical of others.

Give of your time or resources to those in need

By helping others we also refill our tanks. It allows us to appreciate what we have. So when you can take time out or donate in whatever way you can to help someone who needs it.

I coloured in some puzzles for my 67 minutes in July

I hosted two tables at Read to Rise's high tea
to support the work they do to promote literacy
in under-resourced communities.

Ursula was the MC at the event and
called me an over-achiever diva!

Be grateful

For all that you have, all that you are and all that you are surrounded by. 

My motto in life.

Have you achieved what you set out to in 2015? Drop me a comment below and let me know. Or share some of your goals for this year.

I would appreciate a like, share or comment.

Take care,

Imtithaal