Have you ever considered that..

As the year draws to a close, there’s a quiet invitation in the air: to pause, to look back, and to honour the journey we’ve walked. Too often, we rush into the next set of goals, the next challenge, the next “to‑do,” without giving ourselves the gift of reflection. But reflection is where growth takes root.

Think back to January. Who were you then? What hopes did you carry, what fears lingered, what questions remained unanswered? And now, standing here at the edge of December, notice the distance you’ve travelled. Maybe it was marked by bold milestones, a new role, a personal achievement, a relationship deepened. Or maybe it was quieter like learning to say no, finding balance, rediscovering joy in small things.

Growth doesn’t always announce itself with fireworks. Sometimes it whispers. It shows up in resilience after setbacks, in patience cultivated through waiting, in courage found in moments when you felt most uncertain.

This year, you may have faced complexity that stretched you beyond your comfort zone. You may have stumbled, doubted, or even felt lost. Yet here you are, still standing, still learning, still becoming. That is no small thing.

Honouring Milestones and Lessons

Every year leaves us with a trail of milestones. Some are obvious: promotions, graduations, new beginnings. Others are subtle: the moment you spoke up when it was hard, the day you chose rest over relentless productivity, the time you offered kindness when frustration would have been easier.

Milestones are not only about achievement; they are about alignment. They remind us of who we are becoming. They show us the values we chose to live by, even when no one was watching.

And then there are the lessons. Lessons often arrive disguised as challenges. They test our patience, our resilience, our willingness to grow. They ask us to stretch beyond what we thought possible. Looking back, ask yourself:

• What did I learn about myself this year?

• What did I discover about others?

• What did I realize about the world around me?

Sometimes the hardest lessons are the ones that shape us most deeply.

The Power of Letting Go

Reflection is not only about celebrating what we’ve gained; it’s also about acknowledging what we’re ready to release. Perhaps it’s an old habit that no longer serves you, a limiting belief that kept you small, or a fear that held you back.

Endings are powerful because they create space for beginnings. By letting go, we make room for new possibilities. Ask yourself:

• What am I ready to leave behind in this year?

• What no longer aligns with the person I am becoming?

Looking Ahead with Intention

As we step into a new year, it’s tempting to rush into resolutions. But resolutions often fade because they focus on outcomes rather than intentions. Intentions are different. They are about how we want to live, not just what we want to achieve.

Instead of asking, “What do I want to accomplish?” ask, “How do I want to show up?”

• Do I want to live with more courage?

• Do I want to cultivate more presence?

• Do I want to extend more compassion to myself and to others?

When we set intentions, we align our actions with our values. We create a compass that guides us through uncertainty.