How are we at the end of January already? Where did it go and more importantly what have I achieved to mark its passing?

Normally by this point in the year, I am bemoaning my chronic lack of resolve as many a new year resolution has fallen ignobly by the wayside. However, this year, due to participating in The Great Wake Up! I can look back at each week in January and see a concrete example of something I have done, I have achieved, I have followed through with and that… feels.... great.

Each of the challenges, in one way or another, helped to reveal (some nice and gently, others as quick and brutal as a slap in the face) something new about, or buried within, myself. They also in turn, then gave rise to a hundred more questions that needed answering with regards to how I view myself, my world and my place in it, my interactions with people and most importantly the mind-set I chose to take into my every day.

The journey is far from over, in fact its barely begun, which is good as those questions need answering. Thankfully, we have another 11 months of challenges to go before we are let loose to fly off on our own but the changes are already definitely there. Yesterday, I had some friends over and while the husbands are away we tend to have a nice little rant about our lives, things that are bugging us etc. It was my turn and to my utmost, and has never happened before, surprise, I was rant-free. Looking back over the past few weeks, sure, there were things that annoyed/angered me at the time but just then, with them, I couldn’t seem to summon up the negativity and bad humour that normally sits so close to the surface waiting for any opportunity to be let out. At that very moment I felt calm, peaceful and content! It was a unique feeling and frankly I wanted to stay with it for as long as possible and so to the amusement of those there, I just smiled and passed on the ranting baton.

For a somewhat cynical person, I am amazed how such a seemingly eclectic collection of challenges can have such an impact in such a short time. I suppose that is what happens when you decide to make the change from a life of disengagement and drifting to one where you are a fully active and aware participant. I look forward to the rest of the challenges and continue to be incredible grateful to be participating in The Great Wake Up!

Vicki