Reflections of a Holiday Journey
What a roller coaster ride these past couple of weeks have been. So much busy work thrown in with traveling and Thanksgiving and family all together (what a blessing) and oh yeah, a book launch. My first one ever.
What I learned is that even in the middle of chaos and bounty, even when it all seems un-doable and yet it gets done, there are moments of such sweet surrender and beauty. Watching my son-in-law put together a complicated Lego-like build, my grandsons climbing the palo verde tree out back, my husband playing chess with a grandson and my daughter watching a live streaming horse show with her youngest who is now riding. All this was going on in the midst of cooking and eating and shopping and sharing, visiting neighbors here in AZ and getting together with long time friends. What an awesome week.
I worried that it wouldn’t all come together and some of my plans didn’t. I tweaked my back and my knee decided to swell and complain (hates tile floors). I was invited to participate in an online interview with one of my writing coaches and wondered how I would pull that off in the middle of holiday prep and did I say, it’s another first for me? Doubt, confusion, frustration at letting folks down, worry about what they would think, how it would play out, all had me twisted up in knots by Wed. evening (and my back gave notice)..
My back and knee were not so gentle reminders that I had forgotten a very important part of this entire process. I had forgotten me. Here I was in the middle of the launch of my first book titled You First and I had set myself aside in trying to get everything together to make a beautiful week happen for us all (and in spite of me, it happened anyway). My daughter and a dear friend reminded me that it was time to practice what I was preaching, to do what I said to others to do and put me first.
For the first time in a long time, I allowed me to be important and I, with so much anxiety, cancelled some of my biggest plans. I didn’t feel good about it, I cried hidden in the bathroom as I made calls to cancel but I managed to get through it. My family was cool, and we just did what ever anyone wanted to do, ate junk food and leftovers and I rested, iced and elevated and journaled my way through the guilt and perception that I had let people down.
Here I am at the end of the holiday, full as a tick, rested and relaxed (that’s a new one) and basking in the beauty of all the family and friends that truly said, “It doesn’t matter Vicki. It’s all OK and it worked out just fine.”
What a lesson learned! Allowing myself the space to take care of me, made this past holiday, the book launch (which incidentally hit Best Seller), my first interview and our gathering of family and friends, my best one ever.
Taking care of me made it easier for everyone around me to take care of themselves and we all had a blessed time together.
If you ever make it to the Scottsdale area, Preston’s Steakhouse is aaawwweesome… Happy Birthday Mike. Yep, we even had a celebration dinner on Sat. night, and I was able to be there because I put me first.
Learning to Appreciate and Enjoy Life’s Journey.
Many Blessings to you All. Remember, You Matter
“Get my Free Gift Living An Intentional Life”
Vicki Dobbs is a bold and adventurous warrior walking a path of heart to manifest spirituality in everyday lives. She opens existential gateways for individuals to face their challenges and embrace these tests as the great teachers that they are.
Her goal is to see everyone walk in beauty and balance every day of their lives empowered by the voice of their own authentic truth.
Through Wisdom Evolution and Sacred Wisdom Workshops, Vicki creates opportunities for others to make deep personal changes through experiential classes, ceremony, sacred art and story. She endeavors to inspire others to create their lives intentionally. Vicki is an Inspirator of everyday awareness, an Instigator of spontaneous stories and a Connoisseur of Creativity. Gratitude and grace sprinkled with humility and humor are the medicine she brings to the world.
As an Elder, Teacher and Entrepreneur, Spiritual Coach, Ordained Minister and Crafter of Sacred Art and Tools, Vicki perceives life’s journey as an ever-upward spiraling ascension of the human spirit leading her to wisdom, wholeness and authenticity.
Her experience includes being trained in the Harner Method of Shamanic Counseling and the Pachakuti Mesa Tradition of Cross Cultural Shamanism. She is a Graduate Teacher and Mentor with the Lynn Andrews Center For Sacred Arts and Training and has been the Administrator and Writers Guide for Writing Spirit, the School.
Vicki is also an Artist of the Spirit Certified Spiritual and Energetic Life Coach, a Graduate Mentor in the AoS program and a founding member of HeatherAsh Amara’s Warrior Goddess Leadership Team and Facilitator of the Warrior Heart Practice.
Connect with Vicki here on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/SacredWisdomTeachings
