Let it go, let it go, let it go ...

Ok, so maybe that is a bit of a weak twist on one of my favourite Christmas songs ... Let it snow ... :), but hey this is what artistic license is all about right?  Seriously though, it is what I want to ask you to do. 

2012 Has been a HUGE learning year for me.  I started this blog, finished my personal coaching course and qualified with honours, I started a company, I learnt how to set up a website from scratch and so the list continues.  Looking back now, I was destined to achieve ... it was, after all, my word for 2012.   Part of my learning, as I continue my personal journey to find my inner (Slender) Goddess, was having a tarot reading for the first time ever.  I had always been curious about Tarot and my "sister-of-the-heart" treated me to one earlier this year.  I took away a number of valuable lessons and thoughts.

The one, however, that stood out the most for me was ... "Surrender and Release".  After telling me how I have a tendency to bottle everything up inside and causing myself unnecessary extra stress, I needed to find a way to surrender my worries, fears, anxieties and troubled thoughts and release them to the Divine.  "Wow!", I thought, "I've never thought of that.  Maybe I could give it a try and see how it goes."  At this point, I should tell you that I suffer from insomnia when I bottle things up ... doesn't take a genius to figure out why.  So I went home, and that night as I was ending my prayers, I tacked on to the end "Please take these worries, fears, anxieties and troubled thoughts from me as I surrender and release them into your safekeeping."  It was said with meaning and intent, and let me tell you it worked!

Today, I have been introspective.  I've looked back on this past year to reflect on all that has been, come and gone.  What I have learned.  And how I can use these lessons in 2013.  That's when it hit me!  What if I took time to work through the issues I have that keep me trapped in this overweight body and "surrender and release" them to my Divine?  Surely it would begin to heal the wounds and scars that remain after 38 years of battling with my weight issues?  I know I didn't create them, but I have moments where I aid them.  What if i just "let it go, let it go, let it go" ... ?  I realise that there are probably many people out there who have already come to this conclusion but it has taken me this long to get here.  So I encourage you, now, to do the same.  Whatever religion you are devoted to.  Whomever you deem to be your Divine.  Surrender and release what no longer serves you but takes up unnecessary space in your head to them.  Ask for their help and guidance.  I intent to because I know I am worth it.  But you know what else I know?  I know that you, too, are worth it.

So, as we exit 2012 with our sight firmly focused on the awesomeness of 2013 (for it will, indeed, be an awesome year) give yourself permission to let go of what no longer serves you but continues to weigh you down, both literally and figuratively .  After all, change starts with you.

May you be blessed with an abundance in this new year ahead ... of love, health, happiness, wealth, wisdom and slenderness.

Until next year,
Warmest regards,
The Slender Goddess

So this is Christmas, and what have we done? ...

I am unashamedly a Christmas junkie.  I love everything to do with Christmas.  As a Christian, it is my favourite time of the year.  But, not for the gifts.  Of course it's always nice to receive a lovely gift, all beautifully wrapped, but that is not what Christmas is all about for me.

I love the togetherness of Christmas ... time spent as a family putting decorations up, and on the tree.  The time spent together with family and loved ones around the dining table ... the laughter and the happiness that you hear expressed as we all sit around and chat, joke, tease and just enjoy each other's  company.  That is the meaning of Christmas to me ... the being together at this precious time of the year.  And yes, I can just hear some of you saying that this is a pagan holiday and that it is not the true date of Christ's birth.  It doesn't matter to me.  It is still a magical time of the year for me.

But above all else, it is a time for "love and goodwill toward all men".  Now, I'm not saying that for the other 364 days of the year we should just ignore those who are in need.  But what I am saying is that this is the time of the year when we should make an extra effort to be more ... more patient with others, more giving to others, more supportive of others.  First and foremost though ... be less to yourself! ... less harsh, less critical, less demanding.  In order to love others we need to love ourselves more.  So be kind to yourself, be kind to others.

Whether this is your time of the year that you celebrate your Divine or not, please be kind to one another.  Give, because it is in the giving that we will receive.

And as this year draws to a close take time to reflect on what we have done this year ... for ourselves and for others.  Reflect on your achievements and to let go of the things that no longer serve you.  Take the lessons of this year into the new year in order to not repeat those mistakes and let go of the disappointments that will only cloud your vision  as you look forward.

I wish you and your loved ones a most magical festive season.  And am looking forward to sharing an awesome, amazing, abundant 2013 with you.

With warm holiday wishes from,

The  Slender Goddess

Happy holidays from my family to yours.