49-2020 The Gift of Time

For many, it has been upheaval, sadness, illness business loss and so much stress. For others it’s become an opportunity for change, letting go of all that we thought we knew and all that was our “quote-unquote” normal. And for many of us, it’s so much of all of those things in a fricking big mess of what the hell!  But I have to say, there is an interesting phenomenon that happened this year that doesn’t happen often.  It is a rare shared experience with the world, with other people from other countries, and cultures, and with all of our neighbors in our own towns, across the street, in cities across our own countries. It has been one helluva year.

If you listened to the last podcast with the Amazing Britt Bolnick I asked her how we look forward to 2021.  I loved her answer. “We need to embrace what was good in 2020, what I’m grateful for. Then look at what I want to do differently.” So there is another shout out to listen to podcast episode 46 “Keep the gratitude flowing!”.  

I also had an interesting conversation with someone that believes that sometimes the pendulum has to swing in another direction to right itself in the end. There is no question that the political pendulum is swinging, the concept of work is swinging, the care we take of our emotional and physical selves is swinging!

I know for me personally, my business pendulum has been hard at work all over the place!  Many of you know that one of my absolute passions is taking people on retreats on the high seas or to the Caribbean! Art trips to Cuba! Writers Cruises! Women’s retreats! One side of me is a passionate world traveler who loves to experience people and cultures that I have never seen before, and then to share these experiences with as many people as I can! It really is an offshoot to my therapy practice for I believe we all grow exponentially when we experience other cultures and see the world with a new lens.  Travel is the best way to shake up your norm!

Well let’s put it this way….until this damn covid grounded all of us! My life and my business were shaken to the core. The travel business came to a screeching halt. But what it gave me in return was something I can never truly explain and yet we can all relate to. It gave me the gift of time. Grounding all of my travels gave me the opportunity to be here when my therapy clients needed me most. When the travel pendulum swung all the way in a scary direction, my therapy practice swung the opposite way and it all balanced out.

With telehealth, I was able to continue seeing women, families, and couples! The anxiety and stress that everyone is feeling through so much change and loss has created a world of clients reaching out to me. Many who have not been in contact for years!  I was given the blessing of helping others. With every call I got, I knew why I needed to be doing what I love so much, healing the wounds, hurts, and fears of others. Covid has affected each of my clients differently.  I know it has affected each of my podcast listeners differently, too. But Covid lockdown gave me the time to be here for those who need me.

Aaahh the gift of time.  It gave me this podcast. I launched it in February literally weeks before Covid hit.  I have to be honest with myself.  I had no idea of how much work it would take to create, record, edit, and promote each podcast.  I know without a doubt that had my travel business been going strong I would never have been able to continue on a weekly basis.  Being able to share my thoughts and insights with all of you through this podcast has been profound on more levels than I can name. Not only has it helped many of you.  It has helped me.

I have so many personal gifts from 2020! I have been able to help my grandkids with their homework via zoom! We definitely never thought of that before the craziness of virtual school! And though it has broken my heart for every child learning this way and for the parents and teachers struggling with it I have tried to see ANY silver lining! I think that there will be a new vision of teaching that comes out of this. I know from families that I see… that parents have been able to witness first hand any struggles their children have learning. Parents and teachers will have new eyes to see the needs of every student now.  I believe!  Although side note!  I am not digging the New Math!  

Another silver lining! The crazy workforce! So many clients and friends are working from home! Some love it, some hate it. There will surely be a shakeup of how companies view this option in the future! They will have a new paradigm when a single mother or father needs to work from home. There are talks with some companies for a 4 day in-office work week and another day at home! This “offering” that 2020 handed us will change the workforce in the US forever.  What it will be? Who knows!  But you know the saying, there is no going back.  I believe that working from home has shown so many families what they were missing.  Both at home with their families and getting away from home! What its going to look like in 2021 is going to be a mystery yet to unfold!  

AAAAH  And our pets!  This is huge change for me and so many other animal-loving humans. Mine are getting so much attention it’s nuts! In the past, they knew when I took out a suitcase that I was leaving.  Well, they have not seen a suitcase in 9 months! Shelters and rescues have had an influx of adoptions! People are home and can find time for a new pet.  And believe me those pets have been like little therapists for so many people!  I only hope that when people go back to work they plan properly for the care of these new pets.  If you are a pet owner at home for a while make sure that you start to think about a healthy transition for your pets to life after covid! That’s going to be an adjustment for humans and pets alike!

The lessons around the world in 2020 have been so profound.  From Black Lives Matter to reality checks on the importance of our planet and science, medicine, and health care. Again, we are watching THE PENDULUM SWINGING TO CORRECT ITSELF.  

And we lost some amazingly strong role models this year, like Ruth Bader Ginsburg and John Lewis, groundbreaking artists and musicians, amazing athletes, Kobe. But with everyone, we were each reminded of our own mortality. And our own purposes here on this earth. What is our purpose? Everyone has their own paradigm of how to judge your self worth and reasons for being here.  But I find that with every New Year that is the most hidden and unhidden question most people ask themselves. Why am I here and what am I going to do differently in the next year to fill my heart, my passions, and my soul?

I was asked to do a private seminar for a group in my town. So I decided to create a workshop of the same for my podcast listeners.  I’ll tell you more about that in a few minutes.  But for now, I wanted to share my wishlist for you for 2021!

My first wish is that you send off the year 2020 with love.  I wish that you could make a list of the beautiful things that have happened to you this year.  The lessons learned, The growth from the sadness. The growth from the joys and the wonderful realization that you just may have needed the gift of time.

I wish for you that you embrace the lessons learned and truly never lose track of the insight you have gained.  

I wish for you that you can hug all the people that you love in 2021! Laugh with them, party with them, and celebrate all the beautiful milestones of your life together. It may be later in 2021. But I wish that it happens just when you need it most!

I wish for you so much health and the realization that your body and breath are sacred. Never to be taken for granted again.  

I wish for you walks in nature on beaches and mountains, watching the sunset and embracing every sunrise you have.

I wish for you travel to amazing places filled with culture and new people, food, art, and music that you have craved to fill your soul.  

I wish for you peaceful sleep knowing that our country is on its own path to healing. And if you are out of the US that your beautiful homeland is healing and mending from the challenges of 2020.  

I wish for you the glory of your own self-awareness journey. That you stay on course! That you do the things that help you let go of past pains and embrace all of life around you. That you meditate and get lots of sleep, honor your body, and home.  But most importantly I wish that you never give up learning and digging deep within your soul to find your own paradise.

I wish for you that you KNOW without a doubt that you deserve it!

Remember what Tinkerbell says in Peter Pan- All it takes is a little Faith, Trust, and a little bit of Pixie Dust!

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Here is the workshop that I will be offering on January 16th.  I am making it really affordable for everyone and anyone. Just a $20 donation in these crazy hard times. I have also been asked if you can gift it and yes you can!  But most importantly if you can’t afford it just shoot me an email and I will gift it to you!

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CONTENT DISCUSSED…

• A Journey to Awareness Podcast: All Episodes  

• Shauna’s website: https://www.workingonme.com

WHEN DOES IT AIR…  
December 19, 2020