I love some of the inspiration and contemplations that are shared around New Year (even though we suspect this is not the real new year – but more on that in a different video)!
I do think this is a great time to pause and take stock of what YOU want to take into 2025 (or whatever year you are reading this in) and, very importantly, what and whom you do not!
Let’s start with who you spend time with – friends, family, work colleagues, like minded communities across the globe…
This picture of 2 trees (or is it one tree that has split like identical twins) really made me reflect on what I bring to or take from relationships, what I love / hate in relationships, and what the other party in the relationship is bringing to me or taking from me.
True Friends Hold Each Other Up
The great plandemic has been a great leveller in many ways – it has brought to the surface, kicking and screaming, so many underlying issues that have not been addressed, in personal relationships, in society, in the way we have been “encouraged (or brainwashed) into living our lives.
As Wayne Dyer famously said:
“When you squeeze an orange, orange juice comes out – because that’s what’s inside. The same principle applies to you. When someone puts pressure on you, what comes out is what’s inside.”
What’s Inside of You Comes Out
When life puts pressure on us – whether through challenging situations, difficult people, or unexpected setbacks – our immediate emotional response reveals what’s inside of us. Like Wayne Dyer’s orange juice analogy, we can only express what we’ve been cultivating within ourselves.
But here’s where it gets fascinating: no two people react to the same situation in the exact same way. Why? Because our responses are shaped by:
- Our unhealed wounds and past traumas.
- Our unfulfilled dreams that leave us longing for more.
- The fears and beliefs that have held us back or made us feel small.
We often blame the external world – our circumstances, the people around us, or even the universe itself – when, in truth, the emotions we feel are generated within us. What one person meets with anger, another might meet with compassion or indifference. This is because our external reactions are simply a reflection of our internal landscape.
👉 Master Your Stress 👈
The Four Agreements and Inner Healing
Don Miguel Ruiz’s The Four Agreements provides a powerful framework to break this cycle of blaming the outside world and instead, transform from within:
- Be Impeccable with Your Word:
What we say – to others and to ourselves – holds immense power. If we’re filled with bitterness or self-doubt, our words will mirror that. But when we align our inner truth with love and integrity, we naturally express kindness and understanding, even under pressure. - Don’t Take Anything Personally:
Imagine someone criticizes or insults you. The way you react – anger, hurt, or calm detachment – depends not on their words, but on what’s inside you. By not taking things personally, you can stop external forces from dictating your emotional state and focus on healing your own pain. - Don’t Make Assumptions:
Assumptions come from our inner fears and insecurities. For example, if someone doesn’t respond to your message, you might assume they’re upset with you, when the reality could be entirely different. Recognizing this habit helps us separate our inner narrative from external events. - Always Do Your Best:
When we give our all, regardless of the outcome, we free ourselves from guilt and regret. Doing your best doesn’t mean perfection – it means showing up for yourself in each moment, even when life squeezes you.
I love this book, and it’s something I keep coming back to when I feel myself going off track! It’s not easy to put these into practice, but when we do, wow what a difference!
Why This Matters
Understanding that our reactions come from within is one of the most liberating realizations we can have. It shifts the focus from trying to control the uncontrollable (other people, events, outcomes) to what we can control: our own healing, growth, and mindset.
When we commit to healing our wounds, releasing our fears, and pursuing our dreams, we change what “juice” is inside of us. And when life squeezes us, we’ll respond not with anger, frustration, or despair, but with patience, compassion, and love.
The teachings of The Four Agreements remind us that we are the authors of our own story, and every moment offers a chance to cultivate what’s within us. When we focus on self-awareness and empowerment, what we bring into the world uplifts not only ourselves but everyone we touch.
Yet in today’s world, there are so many people and agendas working overtime – sometimes with an almost evil genius – to make us feel disempowered, hopeless, and divided. Divide and conquer is a tried-and-true strategy, and those who push their agendas understand universal laws better than most of us. That’s why they keep coming out on top. It’s simple: whether it’s a chess match, a football game, or the game of life, if you don’t understand the rules or let someone else make the moves, you’re guaranteed to lose. The fastest way to stay sick, miserable, and stuck like sheep is to hand over our decision-making to others.
We don’t need a savior to fix it all for us, but we do need strong, ethical leaders – and we need to demand better from ourselves too. It’s not about stopping cows from farting; it’s about becoming better stewards of this beautiful planet. Sure, we’ll always moan about the weather (especially us Brits!), but we must put an end to geoengineering now. Burying our heads in the sand won’t save us. Fighting over distractions and petty issues only keeps us weak and scattered. We need to wake up, reclaim our power, and create a better way forward.
That change starts with each of us – how we think, act, and show up every day. Together, we can tip the scales back toward a world that thrives on unity, integrity, and hope.
My 2025
So for me, moving forward into 2025, what I am taking with me…? This list from Vex King sums it up perfectly for me:
- Faith
- Courage
- Self-love
- Purpose
- Patience (hard one for me)
- Kindness
- Gratitude
- Resilience
- Presence
- Self-belief
- Boundaries
- Authenticity
- Balanced living
- Radical honesty
- Loyalty to intuition
- Valued relationships
My 2025 guiding principles are:
- Taking radical responsibility for everything in my life, so I can create a positive ripple effect for my loved ones, animals, and the world.
- Honoring and maintaining healthy boundaries to nurture balanced, loving relationships and ensure I have the energy to support those I care about.
- Prioritizing authenticity and meaningful actions that uplift myself, my community, and the animals and beings I’m here to protect.
- Focusing my energy on what truly matters to build a harmonious, compassionate world for all living beings.
Remember: We carry our energy everywhere we go. When we commit to working on ourselves and stay true to how we want to show up – in the world and in all our relationships – it creates a ripple effect, influencing not just what shows up for us, but also for every being we interact with.
This isn’t about being perfect. It’s about embracing The Compound Effect (Darren Hardy’s brilliant concept) – getting a little better every single day.
- It’s about being clear on your why, so you can persevere when the going gets tough.
- It’s about what you say no to as much as what you say yes to.
- It’s about letting go of waiting for saviors and recognizing that we all have different roles to play. Like it or not, society’s so-called “leaders” will influence us – but we have the power to influence our own lives and those around us.
- It’s about not expecting from others what you’re not willing to give yourself – not in identical actions, because our roles differ—but in mindset, resilience, and contribution to the world around you.
This journey is about shifting from a mindset of taking to one of giving, from focusing on what’s missing to getting crystal clear on what you truly want – and going after it, no matter the challenges.
- It’s about allowing technology to help us, not control us.
- It’s about gratitude: celebrating what you’ve achieved, appreciating the lessons you’ve learned, and welcoming the lessons yet to come.
- It’s about being someone others look to as a trusted friend, colleague, or carer.
And, most importantly, it’s about knowing when to ask for help and graciously accepting it, while offering help to others when you can.
I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I do intend to enjoy every step of the search!
If you need support with your goals, purpose, or staying on track this year, check out these resources:
📘 From Resolution to Reality
- This donation-based ebook will help you make this year your best yet.
📖 Mastering Stress
- An all-encompassing interactive resource to help you master stress and live your healthiest, most vibrant life.
Need more guidance? Let’s connect!
For more insights, check out my videos and podcasts:
🎥 YouTube
🎥 Rumble
🎙️ Podcast
Let’s make this year a turning point… together!