Close your eyes.
Fall in love.
Stay there.
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For wherever this year has brought you, whatever paths you’ve found yourself wandering down, a moment of gratitude for the lessons and teachings of your human experience this year.
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A moment of gratitude for all
the smiles you’ve shared
the tears you’ve shed
the humans you’ve embraced
the adventures you’ve embarked on
the nature you’ve seen
the people you’ve been
the moments of grief
and illuminating joy
the times of feeling lost
the felt sense of purpose
and everything in between
…
There are three unavoidable aspects of reality:
Pain
Uncertainty
Constant Work
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This aligns with the Buddhist philosophy that it is the design of being a human to experience suffering.
The remedy: exercise, mindfulness, meaningful relationships with others, a meaningful relationship with ourselves.
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Reflecting on the adventures of 2024, from leaving Santa Cruz, to traveling with a production team to different festivals around California and Canada, to leading a yoga retreat in Guatemala, exploring Mexico City, Moving to Panama, and then to New York, and now back to California, I am reminded that the only constant is change, and the journey is about allowing ourselves to be soft in that process, and even enjoy it.
This year has been full of high highs, low lows, wild adventures and lots of lessons. Here are some of the lessons I’ve been reflecting on:
Focusing on nurturing yourself and setting boundaries to prevent burnout.
Seeking work that aligns with your values and feels sustainable.
Letting go of the need to meet everyone’s expectations and embrace imperfection.
Trusting your resilience and ability to navigate change as a strength.
Fostering intentional, supportive relationships and practice vulnerability.
Aligning your actions and commitments with what truly brings you joy and purpose.
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Wishing you a deeply nourishing reset this winter, surrounded by loved ones, and a reflective time to honor the ways you’ve grown this year.
Sending you the feeling of catching a strangers smile on the subway, seeing the sparkling Rockefeller tree in Manhattan, and the full body release into a the free fall,
Aliya <3
