At the risk of sounding like a broken record, it’s been yet another bonkers year.
At times when our very humanity seemed elusive, you could be forgiven for feeling like even gravity was going to stop working anytime soon.
The draconian, dramatic, and drastic cuts to the humanitarian and aid sectors, to the very essence of the United Nations, have been heartbreaking. There were days when my very brain could not process what my eyes were seeing.
A world rife with conflict, lies, deception, and perhaps most of all, self-interest.
Before it sounds simply too much to bear, please know, dear one, that it’s even more important to pull up a cosy chair, cocoon under a comfy blanket, and reflect.
Reflect back on the lessons of 2025 and then cast your imagination far and wide to possibilities and perspectives for 2026.
For it’s in the opening of our minds, not yielding to the temptation to clamp down into utter certainty, that brings hope.
Clamping down yields to strict lines, lines that divide. Lines that are seductive in their simplicity. Lines that reinforce stereotypes. Lines such as right/wrong, black/white, yes/no.
But we’re better than that.
We keep our minds open to perspective and possibilities, both for our mental health and the health of the planet.
We keep our minds agile, and we always keep learning.
For that’s the key to growing, and not gatekeeping, to flourishing without flouting.
Which is why the Life Lenses® (my personality assessment tool for examining what comes onto your radar easily, naturally, and comfortably, as well as what is different, foreign, and awkward) and I are wishing you a very happy, restful, relaxing holiday, however you celebrate.
Bring on the expanded views. Bring on the freedom.
Stop and Go Life Lenses®
From the Stop Life Lens™, which values contemplation, reflection, pausing, and ruminating, I wish you time to pause and collect yourself and your thoughts. Spend some time journaling, doodling, meditating, or just plain thinking.
And from its partner, the Go Life Lens™, which emphasizes action, pressing the gas, and jumping into things, I wish you time to experiment, play, dive in, and take decisive action.
Mountain and Carrot Life Lenses®
Viewing life through the Mountain Life Lens™, which emphasizes the big picture, strategy, and trends, I wish you ample moments to lift your head and peer ahead. Take a deep breath of that refreshing mountain air, enabling you to look up and forge onward.
And then consider the Carrot Life Lens™, which appreciates details. So, take a moment to focus, look down, and be clear about what you want and the specific things needed to make it happen.
Head and Heart Life Lenses®
From the Head Life Lens™, which honours facts, logic, and research, I wish you time to pull on learning, reading, and other resources to support you and your actions.
Then from the other side of the Head Life Lens™ continuum, the Heart Life Lens™, which honours intuition, instinct, and gut feelings, I wish you time to hone in on and listen to that little wise voice inside of you and what it’s telling you and where it’s pointing you.
Journey and Destination Life Lenses®
And finally, the Journey Life Lens™, which emphasizes process and the ‘how,’ I wish you the ability to focus on how you’ll achieve what you’re setting out to accomplish in 2026 and beyond.
And from Journey Life Len’s™ partner in crime, the Destination Life Lens™, which focuses on tasks and objectives, I wish you a clear, definite, defined list of goals.
When all is said and done, take a few minutes and look around from the different Life Lenses™ – especially if you’re feeling overwhelmed and a little (or a lot) harried these days. Better days are in view.
The Life Lenses™ and I extend cozy, warm wishes for a balanced holiday season. Regardless of how, wherever, or whatever you celebrate, may it be filled with quiet, contemplative moments and enough adrenaline-fueling activities to energize and excite you for the upcoming new year.
Bring on peace, inclusion, health, and learning.
Now go on and learn, laugh, and lead
Learn
- Take my Life Lenses® personality assessment now for free and use it to guide your 2025 reflection and 2026 planning.
Laugh
- I began this post with an invitation to pull up a cosy chair, cocoon under a comfy blanket, and reflect. Perspective shifting can radically change what’s possible – even when it comes to the very definition of a chair.
Lead
- Better yet, take my free Life Lenses® personality assessment with a friend or colleague and use your insights together.
P.S.
- For all you Learning and Development Roundtable members, as we’re taking a break from the Roundtable for the month of December. During that time I’ll be sending you my weekly tips on how to learn, laugh, and lead. Like this one!
Leave a Reply