Ask Others, Trust Yourself by Elisa Balabram

For almost two years, I’ve had an accountability partner, Lara Simmons. We speak every Friday for about 20 minutes, though sometimes we have longer conversations and sometimes shorter ones. Through the support from each other, we’ve worked on our books, arts, blogs, challenges, and successes. On the first day of Chanukah, I opened my apartment door, to find an envelope from her. She lives in Seattle and we have yet to meet in person. Inside the envelope, there were eight carefully wrapped gifts to be opened one a day. I was filled with joy and love. Lara put so much effort and love into the gifts that made me overcome with emotions. I was on my way out, and when I got back I sent her an email, unsure if words could represent what I was feeling, and how much her gesture touched my heart.

Each day I waited for the evening with anticipation to open the next gift, trying to guess what was inside based on what she wrote in each numbered note. For example, gift 4 said “Because it always helps”, and I figured it was a chocolate bar, and it was! The last one, though, I had assumed it was a writing notepad for new creative projects, but it was a sketch pad, and it made me giggle. All of them had a deeper meaning, which can only come from someone who listens, who is present during conversations, who recognizes the essence of being, and who takes the time to care and appreciate someone’s truth and essence. I felt seen and heard.

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As the end of the year approaches, what can you change, transform and achieve before December 31^st that will enhance your life’s experience?

I’ve started a creative project about a month ago, working on designs, which will possibly be in T-shirts, mugs or journal covers. Although I’m not sure on the format, I can tell you that working on it, playing with colors, backgrounds, papers, texture, and tools have brought me great joy. And even if I don’t launch it this year, or ever, when I shared the first design with a few people who got it, and felt inspired by it, I received and felt their Love.

How about you? If you didn’t have to wait for the new year, and you could experience a personal transformation in the next 21 days, what would you like to focus on?

Before you continue reading, I invite you to sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes and breathe. Place your hands on your heart. Then, breathe into your heart’s space and ask you heart what it needs this month. What does your heart and soul want to experience?

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