This isn't a surprise to you, but 2017 is here. It has been here for a few days and so far, so good. The sun even came out in the Berkshire's today! A January gift for sure just when people were getting a little desperate to see something shimmery.

It really shouldn't surprise us that it is grey here from December to March on most days, however, it does when following a particularly challenging 2016. I don't believe in blaming a year for the issues that come up in our lives. I've heard so many people saying good riddance to the year. That is stunk and it took so many things and people from us. No, no it did not. A year does not have that kind of power, but I can understand how it could feel that way.

2016 in numerology was a 9 year. 9 are endings and in my experience often bring out the level of not being able to take this you know what anymore. Everyone faced endings of some sort in their lives this year. Relationships, jobs, hopefully unsupported habits, homes, and yes, even physical lives. This is natural and we can't really have beginnings without endings. Even with all of this, which happens every year by the way, light shines through.

This last year gave us so many opportunities to show our true selves and people really did. A lot of people saw what needed to be done and stepped up. They saw their own light and allowed it to show others. It was definitely an act of courage if you allowed yourself to see a glimmer of who you are and allowed it to peek out a little too. Good for you. Maybe shining bright didn't happen yet; that is ok, because what follows endings? You've got it; beginnings.

2017 is a one year. Beginnings. Did you just take a nice deep breath? Good job! Now, much like a nine year can't be the reason for all the things that happen; a one year can't either.  You have to get involved in the blessing that is your life. Can you go along and just be pulled by the current? Sure, you can absolutely do that, but then you may not complain about anything in my presence. Can you decide to do something about giving this beginning its due? Of course you can. Act. Act on something to increase the enjoyment of your life.

The energy this year feels so full of excitement. Remember that excitement can often present to our systems as anxiety so check in and feel what you are feeling. I know the last three days I have felt like my stomach was going to flip right out of itself. At first I thought it was a return of that stomach bug that I chose to end 2016 with but it isn't. Phew! Thank goodness, it's excitement! For what? Well, whatever is unfolding in front of me. For some the unknown is a fearful thing but once you realize that everything is a form of unknown until it happens so we are always in the place of not knowing for sure, you get good at going with the flow. The practice of learning to trust in that not known is the real gift to oneself to develop. I highly recommend it.

To be in that trust, you would look to what you already know about yourself and the life skills you have. See? You've got this!

So, this year with all it's excitement is generating momentum for whatever you would like to move forward with. Energy does not discriminate. You can excel if you are willing to participate. There will be a great deal of emphasis on deciphering who is supportive in your life and who may need to exit stage left. For some of us, the last year made this abundantly clear but acting on it will carry into this year. The releasing of relationships can be done with respect for all parties. It's called being an adult and mature. Really focus on this if you find yourself clearing up your inner circle.

As we clean up that circle, the people who are most in alignment with our beliefs, goals, heart and intention will naturally be attracted to us. Sure, it may take some time to manifest this community in the physical and yes, you may have to actually leave your house to meet them, but the energy will be there to help you. Use it!

So, given that everything is fluid, take the next few days and think about what you may have seen come to completion last year and what could be a beginning this year. Also, do some inventory of relationships around you and including with yourself decide if there is anything there that could change for the better this year. Then, what is one thing you could do to contribute to the success of that today. It starts now.

Happy beginnings,
Vicki

www.vickibaird.com

I keep hearing people say how they are so busy and it is because of the holidays. I want to call bs on this. Why? Because I hear it in the summer too and then the fall because of school and then the spring because of yardwork.

It's fine if you are busy. Life can be. But at some point, you may want to listen to how often you are saying you are busy. Too busy. 

What are you too busy for? Connecting with yourself, others, appreciating nature, being creative? 

Increasing your wisdom, exercising, learning an instrument or a language? Volunteering, sleeping, mentoring someone or deepening your spirituality? 

How about being still? Is what what you are too busy for and are avoiding by keeping the go, go, go going? 

I feel like most people are so afraid to hear the voice within that may suggest they aren't happy or in line with their life that they keep piling on the responsibility to ensure that doesn't happen.  

I'll clue you in to something; when you come for a session, that is what I am listening to. I am pausing to hear what your voice has been trying to communicate to you but couldn't get through because the busy signal was so loud nothing else could be heard. 

So, what if you said no to the go,go,go? What if you gift yourself some quiet time and ask the voice inside what it wants to say? It is the holidays. Why not self gift?

When getting quiet remember to turn off all electronics. The length of time is not so important as much as the intention to spend the time. 

That thing that's been bugging you? It's in that quiet moment. As is the communication of why you feel less than thrilled with your life.  It isn't the traffic, or the bills or someone else's behavior. It is what is not being given a voice. I promise you. 

You don't have to put up a billboard announcing what you've discovered about yourself. Unless you want to, of course. Be brave. Be willing to hear it.  

Until you say yes to hearing this voice; you are not living authentically you. Sure, it takes courage. But you've got that in droves. Go for it. 

Say yes to you,

Vicki

http://www.vickibaird.com

Dr Seuss had it right when he grabbed us with rhyming words. They flow off the tongue and they help us to remember phrases and songs. The cadence helps I am sure, but the appeal to our desire for order is probably at the root of the attraction. Keeping things balanced and equal.

One of the phrases that I have kept in mind over the last few years is; explaining is draining. When we feel the need to explain, it takes away energy from what you know and gives it to doubt in self or in what you are explaining. I used to fall into this hoping to convince both others and myself that it was ok to do whatever I was doing. One day I realized just how much effort that took and decided my time was better spent elsewhere.

I believe we fall into this behavior because of a need to have others approve of us. Of course we want to be part of a community and inclusive of others lives but their approval is not necessary in order to enjoy our lives. Just look at social media and the incredible energy spent there where for some who you can feel are posting so someone will say, oh you poor thing, or whoa, that is impressive or anywhere in between. Very rarely do people participate just because it is fun. I love social media and probably share way too many pictures of the dog but I do it because it lights me up or made me laugh at the time. If no one commented or liked a post, I really would be ok, I was before facebook. It's my form of artistic expression, such that it is. :)

Do you ever find yourself explaining why you do something or why you like something? Does it border on justification? There is a difference in demonstrating why you like something and defending it. Demonstrating will have excitement to it. An, I can't wait to share this, feeling. Explaining will sound like you are making sure I know every detail to be sure it is ok for you like whatever it is. Just like it. It really is ok.

One of the examples of this I see a lot is a person feeling the need to explain why they are dating the person they are dating. Really? That is none of my business. There should only be two people in a relationship with others butting the heck out. It may not be someone we want to date, but we don't get a say, we really don't, so explaining why is either because you are asking me to approve, something that is not within my power, or you are hoping I will talk you out of dating the person. Unless there is a real safety issue, I am not going to do that. Often this frustrates people but the explaining can be just as draining on the person listening!

It takes courage to know yourself well enough to not have to explain why you do or don't do something, but the trust is worth it. There is a weight lifted off the shoulders when we can depend on ourselves and appreciate others input, but not rely on it to make any kind of decision.

Observe yourself over the next few weeks and see if you find yourself explaining and if you find it draining. If you do, don't judge just say perhaps, heck no, I won't go. Get your rhyming groove in the right direction. Channel your inner Dr. Seuss:

I deserve the very best, it is my souls wish. 

When I start to explain I will use the energy

of Red fish, blue fish. 

Have fun with this exercise, what is the point otherwise?

Off to connect with Horton and the he heard, 

Vicki

www.vickibaird.com

"It takes courage to imagine your life different." Lindsay TF

This is one of my favorite quotes because it really does take that courage to look and see that things could be different for you. It also takes bravery, a sense of adventure and a just a little bit of silly to start making those changes that you would like to see. It is also one of my favorites because I actually know the person who said it! It isn't just a random collection of words from someone afar, it is someone I have had the pleasure of seeing grow and use that courage on many occasions. 

I am seeing a lot of people lately who are digging deep into their own fears and moving forward in whatever form they would like to see their lives unfold. This is really exciting to me as a person, soul and coach. As a person it helps me to remember to look at challenges as a fun thing, as a soul it makes me happy to be part of this time in our universe and as a coach it excites me for it means we are growing as a people and I get to be a part of that! Sweet!

I said to a client yesterday that what if the feeling she was feeling wasn't doom and gloom, but rather a feeling that she was about to bloom? Using a plant as an example, they have to push through the dirt and the layers of Earth to show up and reach the sunshine. I bet that is uncomfortable at some point but the plant, knowing that stagnation is certain death, isn't going to just lay there and lament, it is going to keep reaching for that breakthrough. Nature is amazing isn't it? We are amazing aren't we? I believe so. 

So, the next time you feel like you can't do something, remind yourself that you have the same innate knowing as the plant or you wouldn't have come here to learn and grow. You would have remained an inert being simply floating around the stratosphere. I, for one, am glad you decided to push through that dirt and show up and we got to be in this garden together!