As we approach the end of the year, I feel the familiar urgency to complete unfinished tasks and simplify my life. Yet, at the same time, I feel the need to slow down, reflect on each moment past for deeper knowing and savoring its teachings. Did I accomplish what I envisioned? The truth is in the unexpected twists and turns, in the new paths and discoveries, my vision took its own shape and form, making 2024 quite an eventful year. I feel as if time sped up and slowed down at the same time.

Here are 7 important revelations I had in 2024:

1. Heal the Pain; Stop the Chase

Whether we are chasing recognition, money, pleasure, or relationships, underneath is the hidden pain of an unmet need that we are hoping to meet; with each new chase falsely believing that we have finally found what we’ve been looking for. Yet, as long as we chase, the pain persists. The intense desire is the intense pain in disguise that often blinds us to the facts and makes us vulnerable to manipulations and deceit. We can chase our entire lifetime and never get even one inch closer to fulfilling the unmet need, until we see clearly. Clear seeing lifts the veils of illusion and we realize that the object of our chase wasn’t what we thought it was, and it didn’t fulfil our needs after all.

As long as we search outside of ourselves, we are destined to fail. Our childhood unmet needs cast long shadows into adulthood, landing us in wrong relationships, habits, and pursuits. This cycle can only break when we confront the truth and dispel the illusion. Twice this year, I was subjected to financial fraud, going backwards I understood that it was my chase for the recognition that left me wide open for manipulations.

Reflect on what you are chasing and the unmet need behind it; it holds the key to your healing. Healing is a lifelong journey; each new shift can set us free from chasing anything outside of ourselves.

2. Live Your Truth

Living our truth is not a one-time act; rather it’s a way of consistently taking a stand for it. To stand tall in the face of the challenge is the real test and it’s harder than you think. The urge to please others, to keep peace, to conform rears its ugly head; do we give in or do we take a stand for ourselves?  To live our truth may disappoint others, we risk distancing them from ourselves. I feel this risk is worth taking as the real question is whether we can look at ourselves in the mirror and be okay with who we see.  Self-respect and authenticity are virtues worth taking a stand for.

It’s hard to argue with the truth; it just is. It’s actually when we deny our own truth we leave ourselves open to manipulation and coercion. What I am talking about here is your fundamental truths and your value system. When in doubt, ask whether you can look yourself in the mirror with pride and acceptance.

3. Trusting is Good: Discernment is Better

I learned that trust needs to be earned, it’s not a freebie to be handed out to everyone. This has been the hardest lesson yet. The ones you thought you knew will deceive you the most; “I thought I knew him/her” is a phrase we hear often.

I have come to the conclusion that we can’t totally immune ourselves from deception or fraud. Our heart inherently wants to trust and believe the best in others.  If someone wants to deceive you, I think they will find a way.

Our only defense is shifting into a higher vibration so anything of lower vibration is simply not a match. The question is not how someone can manipulate you, rather ask why did I attract this to me. The answer will speak volumes, you will find spaces within yourself that have fear, insecurity, worthlessness, or an unmet need that I mentioned in the first point. We bite the carrot hoping it will either take the pain away or end our chase. It’s only by taking the inner journey we can come to know our own darkness that needs to be brought to light.

4. The Answers are in the Grey Zone

In our polarized world, where we are desperately trying to categorize humans into good and bad so we have some sort of compass, a frame of reference to navigate this world, this realization of the grey zone can be hugely beneficial. I feel to reduce humans into simple dichotomies of good and bad undermines the depth and complexity of creation. To evolve is to move towards one another and to realize that the depth of humans is beyond the color of their skin, their beliefs and their political views.

Ultimately, we are asked to transcend our political biases, prejudices and judgments and meet everyone as an equal beyond the 3D world in the Unified Field of Consciousness. This may be a tall order, but that’s the work of becoming authentically you and the only task we are asked to fulfill.

How many times our initial thought about a person based on their outer appearances has been incorrect?  We are quick to judge, label, and categorize people. The truth is we don’t know another until we take the time to know them. Being curious about others, wondering what their story may be, the life they have lived, who they are, why they believe what they believe will get us closer towards one another and may make us realize that we are more alike than not. This is true healing; seeing yourself in others and seeing others in yourself.

5. Unplugging is a Necessity

In today’s fast-paced and info-rich world, downtime and unplugging are crucial for regaining your sanity and maintaining your authenticity.  More we hold other people’s opinions and stories in our heads, less space we have for our own. Our perception, beliefs, and our way of being are always in a delicate balance cautioning us to exercise critical thinking so we can separate facts from fiction. Our overstimulated minds need a reset often so we can accurately assess our perceptions, thoughts and behaviors.

Creating sacred space for just yourself is how you can breathe life into your creativity, rejuvenate your dreams, and connect with yourself. I often leave the phone at home when going for a walk and the experience is much richer without it as instead of looking at how many steps I have walked I tune into how I enjoyed each step, the little things I notice along the way, the eye contact I make with others on the path and the delightful sounds of nature. Unplugging brings us closer to what’s inherent within us, the simple joy of being. This, I think, is ultimate self-care; to separate ourselves from the gadgets so we can come a little closer to ourselves.

6. Our Health and Healing is Worth Investing In

The most worthwhile investment you can make is in your own health and healing. The impact of unhealed wounds on individuals and society is evident on the world stage. Unlike material investments, the investment in your well-being is not subjected to the socio-economic and political changes. Investing in your well-being provides inner resilience and fortitude, allowing you to navigate life’s challenges with greater ease.

Consider the hidden costs of staying sick and wounded not only to you but to those around you. Money, often, is an insufficient measure of value. What price will you put on feeling at ease, experiencing joy and happiness, and nurturing your dreams? These experiences of being fully alive result from deep healing; they are priceless and can’t be measured with money. When we insist on looking at only monetary value, we miss the real value.

The dire need to heal for each one of us is the call of our times and can’t be overstated. Our collective wounds are our individual wounds; we can’t heal the world unless we heal ourselves first.

Over the years, my health and well-being has been always my priority and I possibly could not put a price tag on it. It’s because of the investment I made in my own health and well-being that I am able to help others attain the same. It truly has been a gift that keeps on giving.

You deserve to heal. Actually, that’s why you are here.  We don’t come healed, we come here to heal.

7. Put Joy on Top of Your List

There is no shortage of struggles and challenges in life for anyone.  If you have lived long enough, you realize that life is unfair, people are complex and that you can’t always cover your behind. Sometimes, we spend decades just struggling and surviving. This overshadows any joy we could’ve experienced in simple things in life. Watching the sun come up, hearing the birds, feeling the soft breeze, smelling the coffee, tasting our favorite foods, feeling the touch of soft clothing around our skin are some of the simple joys available to all of us regardless of our struggles, yet these simple treasures go by unnoticed.

We can change that by simply reminding ourselves to savor life’s precious moments and gifts. These simple joys can make life’s challenges bearable and can give us a gentle boost to begin again.

As I look back at the movie of my life, there are 2 times that really stick out.  One time was when I got my first apartment; I decorated it with simple things and memorandums. I loved all the little space I could create inside it; right next to the window, I created a little cozy space for myself, with my mom’s hand-woven rug on the floor, big fluffy cushions and my stuffed animals (yes, I had 2 of them). It was cozy, a little hidden and I loved hanging out on the floor. That simple space brought a lot of joy during that time when I was away from my home. I had a paint party when I got this apartment; there were 5 of us, we painted the kitchen cupboards red. This time stood out as I experienced a lot of joy during this time.

Second time was when I moved to Toronto during Covid; there was a 21-day restriction before any of my home items could be delivered to me and I had no internet. All I had was my yoga mat, yoga block, and the long cushion I had brought to sleep on. Luckily, I found a folding chair in my car. I loved the empty space; it invited me to play and dance. There was nothing for me to do except explore this new city. I felt like a kid in a candy store. I often remind myself of this time to bring the same joy back in my life.

Moving forward, I am putting joy on top of my list no matter what happens. It’s something we can all do and it can truly make our life rich and fulfilling.

What are some of your revelations during this year?  Ask and you may be surprised by how much you have grown and healed.

Give yourself the gift of healing deeply and be amazed at how your life changes for the better. If you are ready, I invite you to schedule a Healing Breakthrough Session with me.  In this session, we will dive into your biggest challenge, a mini plan of action and assess whether we are a fit to work together.