Self Validation Practices for the New Year
Linda Newlin
A Radical Gift and Resolution for the Season of Light
As the Season of Light is upon us and the new year approaches, I’m keenly aware that many people are entering into the ancient ritual of thinking about, writing, and preparing for their New Year resolutions. Even before we get through the holiday season and open gifts, individuals are already gearing up for this annual event. The stressed and impatient are vowing to work on their shortcomings and find balance next year. Those who want to lose weight often “let themselves splurge through the holidays,” preparing for the barren land that awaits them on January 1st.
Is this the kind of gift you want to be giving yourself? What is it costing you to focus on what needs to be improved every year at this time? What would be possible if you gave yourself a radical gift and made a different kind of resolution: to focus on what is right with yourself and your life instead of what you need to change? What would this season FEEL like if you validated what you’ve done well?
Validation is a gift that grounds you in the strength of who you are and nourishes your wholeness, boosting your self-esteem.
This is the SEASON OF LIGHT, and I want to explore and challenge you to gift yourself differently this year. Instead of focusing on what needs to change, focus on what is good and wonderful about who you are and what your unique gifts are. What can you say to yourself in the coming days/weeks/year that would feed your inner light and resilience? What have you longed to hear each day as you struggle to keep that bright light within burning strong and steady? This is a gift you can give to yourself each and every day if you choose.
When we fill our cups with self-loving validation and celebration of our unique gifts, qualities, and strengths, we bring health, well-being, and passion to our bodies and peace to our minds.
I invite you to enter into this radical gift-giving experiment and try this new kind of resolution! See what happens when you focus on your wholeness and give self-loving validation to yourself and to others in the coming days/weeks/year. Maybe we can revolutionize gift-giving and resolutions to truly create a season of light that lasts for more than just one night.
