I thought about naming this article, “Can I Get a Do-Over for 2015?”  That was the first thought I had when I began thinking about what I want for 2016 and realized that the “list” was basically what I wanted for 2015.

We create our own reality through our thoughts, intentions and inspired actions, so I fully expected to easily achieve my goals.  Along the way, however, the road got quite rocky.  I won’t bore you with the details, but long story short…by the second half of 2015 an old back injury became so painful (9+ on a 10-point scale) that it significantly reduced my level of engagement and activity in every aspect of my life.

Most people know me as typically being very positive and hopeful, but this pain caused me to experience a lot of unwanted negativity:

1. I was often irritable;
2. I got annoyed and angry at the lack of responsiveness in my body;
3. I was frustrated that I couldn’t “heal myself” through exercises, yoga and meditation;
4. I was frustrated that my back and pain were distracting me from my business;
5. I felt powerless at times;
6. I allowed myself to get disconnected from the outside world.

I did not want this negativity to attract other similar experiences, so I found ways to relieve the pain temporarily so that I could focus on thinking more positive thoughts.  One of the things that brought me great relief was floating on my back in my pool with the sun on my face, the sounds of birds surrounding me and clouds floating gracefully across the sky.  This is what I call “basking” in nature.  It was during one of these moments that I realized, “life doesn’t have to be perfect to be awesome.”

This thought came to me again as I reflected back on 2015, and I began to think about what an amazing year it really was:

1. In December, we discovered the root cause of my back pain (3 herniated lumbar discs) and that they could be healed. Though the pain had held me back for much of 2015, I realize now that the pain had to increase to really get my attention so that I could address it and THEN move forward with my fitness goals.  No amount of physical activity was going to have a long term impact on my health as long as this issue lay beneath the surface.
2. In the midst of the pain, I learned how to be “happy anyway.” I could not maintain this happy state at all times, but I became quite adept at getting there when I took the time to do so.
3. I learned to really appreciate my body in ways I don’t think I would have without this painful experience. I now celebrate it every day, focusing on all this allows me to be, do, have, feel and experience in this physical world.
4. I learned how to get into alignment with my body’s healing process so that my actions and those of my healthcare providers have even greater impact than just going through the motions.
5. I gained incredible insight into physical pain and the effects it can have on people. I understand why some people are so cranky now and why it’s so hard for them to overcome the associated negative thoughts and emotions.
6. In my vulnerability, my family and I gained a greater understanding of how our thoughts and emotions affect our interactions with each other. My son and husband learned not to get caught up in my negativity because they knew it was really about the pain and nothing else.  I learned that when I got annoyed or angry with them, it was not about them; again, it was just about my focus on my pain.
7. In my lack of mobility and my inability to sit for more than 30 minutes at a time, I had a LOT of thinking time, and this produced a lot of ideas. By the end of 2015, I knew the TWO books that I want to write, and I started writing them.  I also got greater clarity on what I want to do with As a Matter of Thought and the speaking topics that I want to offer.

The list of positive 2015 experiences goes on.  I even checked off two incredible bucket list items last year.  So, no…I do not want a “do-over” for 2015.  Too many wonderful things happened.  And in hind-sight, I believe it all, whether negative or positive in the moment, was necessary to move me toward the goals I set at the beginning of 2015.

How about you?  Was 2015 what you expected?  If you experienced some negativity in 2015, perhaps it was because it was necessary to help you get to where you want to be.  So take what gems you can from last year and use them to help you achieve your desires for 2016.

My mantra this year – “Well-being Abounds” (mentally, physically and spiritually) – was inspired by my experiences last year.  It’s written on my bathroom mirror, and I look at it and say it with conviction every day.  What mantra can you create that captures the wisdom you gained last year and points you to your goals and dreams for 2016?

Happy New Year!  I hope your 2016, and mine, exceed our wildest expectations.