From Reflection to Resolution: Navigating 2023’s Lessons into 2024
2023 was a year full of surprises, and I don’t mean only the good ones or those that send you into fits of laughter but also all the horrifying ones that build up our anxieties; like how in December when the holiday cheer has just begun volcanoes from around the world decided to erupt, conspiracy theories would think this is a sign of armageddon.
But the year is over and we are presented with a new canvas that is 2024, so what can we take from 2023 that we should or shouldn’t do in the new year? And I don’t mean internet trends what we are going to focus on is us! We! Me! You! Yes, you that’s reading this at this very moment! What will we do to ensure we have a less crappy if not the best 2024.
I have come up with a little something for all of us here at the Thrive Tribe to see us through this new year and everyone that comes after; that little something is called A.C.E
So what is A.C.E; is it a person, a book, a song, a tool? Well, guess what, it’s whatever you want it to be! A.C.E is an acronym I came up with which stands for Accept, Conceptualize, and Enjoy. Every new year you as an individual need to ACCEPT that whatever you did in the previous year cannot be unchanged, you then need to CONCEPTUALIZE that whatever you do this year no matter how little is still a positive achievement and whatever goes wrong was meant for your growth, and lastly you need to ENJOY every waking moment doing what you love and with those around you.
How about we now break it down? Let us see how A.C.E will fall into play for this new year.
- ACCEPT
We all can admit that 2023 was not a perfect year. No one ever has a perfect year! There’s always a longing for something, things looking up then suddenly they are not, and sometimes everyone else always seems to have good fortunes but you. Some went through great losses with family, friends, finances, etc. And most of us just completely gave up at a point. You know the feeling right? Now what I want you to do right now as you read this; I want you to take these negative emotions, that came about with anything that happened in 2023, and you are going to put them in a box one by one. This box is inside you and whenever you are ready we will release this box from within us and imagine it floating away into space and being sucked into a black hole. This box will contain your pain, your hurt, your suffering, your tears, and what will be left is room for wonderful memories of love, joy, a smile, and everything good that comes with this new chapter of 2024.
I understand that it is not all that easy but accepting the areas in 2023 where you failed/someone failed you, where you hurt/were hurt by someone else, where you felt the world was not giving you a chance, or when you were out of your mind not knowing what to do next because you felt backed up in a corner; accepting that all of this happened, that it happened for a reason that you are yet to find out, and taking it all and letting go to give yourself space to grow is the greatest thing you could do for yourself, and the results will reflect with all those around you. And even though you may sometimes feel the shadow of the negatives you once felt, remember that you will find the light with every smile you put on others and the smile you will receive because of others.
2. CONCEPTUALIZE
Now we have come to a stage where people tend to avoid. Here, it’s just going to be you and your thoughts. But don’t you worry, I will guide you through it, like your own modern-day, definitely not certified shaman.
With conceptualization, you need to feed yourself good thoughts. Think of it as a vision board in your mind that only you can see. Let’s call it a Soul Vision board, and what you are going to put in it is what you want to achieve this year; is it a new skill? Is it better grades? Is it surprising friends and family with new recipes you learned? Or do you just want to do more community outreach by donating more? This is all up to you. You can write them down, read them to yourself, and remember no matter how small, it matters! Better yet make them a monthly thing let's say, this January, go on Amazon buy a beginner-growing kit for herbs, and plant them! Halfway through the year, you start seeing results. I mean this is a suggestion, something that I would do but go ahead and buy one if you like! But keep in mind that if you fail, it is just a hiccup if you can’t fix it just move on to the next thing. Whatever you envision for yourself doesn’t have to be perfect throughout.
3. ENJOY
And now finally, you need to remember to enjoy! You have 52 weeks in 2024 to make memories and make a change in your life and those of others as well. Takes pictures! And at the end of every week, make a collage with a description of what made that week special including both the good and the bad. Trust me, pictures can tell a thousand words and those memories you share with those you love or new people you meet are never forgotten.
I hope that this helps you through the year. Just by reading this, you are now a member of the THRIVE TRIBE FAMILY and there is nothing more I want you to remember this year other than A.C.E., let it be your mantra and guide for this New Year. Happy 2024 and a Happy new chapter to you!
