Reflecting on Release

On the last day of 2024, I looked back at my word of the year – Release. My intention had been to calmly, thoughtfully, gently, and intentionally release things in my life that were no longer serving me. My hope had been to make space in my home and in my heart for more fun and adventures, as well as challenges and peace. So how did I do?

Well, I did release a number of things: possessions, ideas, certifications, goals that were no longer relevant, and writing these essays as frequently as I had been. And it made space for a move to a new house (adventure), a new certification (challenge), a new book published (fun), and cancer treatments for my partner. That last one was not by choice, but life happens and sometimes being able to cope with it means we can’t have filled our life with so many superfluous things that we don’t have the capacity to face challenges that are thrown our way.

There is a great parable circulating about holding a cup of coffee and you get bumped and spill the coffee. The question is then posed, “Why did you spill the coffee?” Most people answer that it was because they got bumped. But the answer is, “Because coffee is what’s in your cup.” When life bumps us, we spill out whatever we are carrying inside us. If we carry anger, resentment, and judgment, then that is what spills out of us. If we carry peace, compassion, and understanding, then the bump isn’t so traumatic.

Releasing things this year that no longer brought joy or served a purpose allowed me/us the capacity to face cancer with strength, determination, and grace. It also allowed us to receive compassion and grace from our family and friends. We were able to accept the diagnosis and treatment, allow the process to unfold and move through it to get to healing. And we have, by the grace of God, moved through it with peace and strength. I’d call that a win. I hope you take some time to reflect on good things that have happened to you this past year and ready yourselves for all the things, good and challenging, that 2025 will bring. Namaste and God bless you.