JANUARY; REFLECTION, RELEASE, RESOLUTION –
these are the thoughts most of us have around this time of year. The bulk of the holidays are over; maybe you spent time with family and friends doing life long traditions and practices. Maybe things are changing, as they will do, and your holiday season was was full of new and different "soon to be" traditions. Perhaps you use this time as "alone time, or maybe you go on vacation. Whatever the case may be, the hustle and bustle is just about over, and so is the year, and that quiet time always brings REFLECTION. Before we start another year of chores, and work, and life, a little down time makes us look back on the year; what happened? As we flip through our photos reliving our recent memories, the questions start popping up. Was it a good year? What did I accomplish? Did I achieve my goals? Am I happy doing what I am doing? How is my life different from the beginning of the year? Did you take time for yourself? How many books did you read? How is your health? Are you content in your relationships? Those might be some of the questions rolling around in our heads- and the big one- " What can make this year better?" Our brains are just wired like that, and that's ok because it's therapeutic. REFLECTION can be a GOOD thing.
Next comes RELEASE. Now that we are deep in thought, naturally the bad times come up too. So ask yourself, what no longer serves you? Remembering that this is meant not just physically, such as clutter and excess, but more importantly in emotional issues, feelings, and energies. What can you do without? How can I simplify my life? What negativity can you release? How can you ease some of your stress? What should I let go of? As individuals we often struggle with the fact that we are solely responsible for our own happiness- things happen in life, some good, some bad. Sometimes it is a result of choices we made, sometimes it is just the way it goes. And we all go through "stuff". Regardless of the reason, whatever is happening in our lives, we are still in control of our own happiness- it is in our hearts and our minds, not outside of us. So, is there something you can do to be happier? What do YOU want to change? 
Ok now that the heavy stuff is over, and you have a good idea of where you were and where you are, and where you want to be- all you have to do now is figure out how to get there! Now is the time for RESOLUTION. We always see the beginning of a new year as the perfect time to set goals, drop bad habits, come up with resolutions. And it is a great starting point, I myself, have goals and projects in mind- some I am still working on from last year, that I should be able to complete, and some new ones I hope to accomplish. I think sometimes we "bite off more than we can chew"- and that is the only problem with resolutions. Successful people will tell you set fewer, more reasonable and specific goals in life, work, ect. to achieve greater results. So when you are making your list,remember that, and be more gentle and realistic with yourself. Here is a list of the most commonly broken new year's resolutions- try to use it as a guide; if your list has some of these, maybe alter it a bit to customize it to fit you, not the world.
Think more specific to your needs; could you use more physical energy to be more active, to go to the gym,to improve your health? Carnelian and goldstone bring physical energy.
Maybe you have trouble with focus, concentration and clarity? These attributes can help you to stay on track and achieve your goals, or keep your resolutions. Stones that can help are fluorite, amber, and marble.
Could you use some help at work? Maybe you'd like to improve your productivity, or enhance your creativity? Sodalite, tiger iron, rhyolite, and garnet are great for creativity and productivity!
Do you want to handle challenges differently in 2016? A good attitude would be helpful, and if your communication skills and problem solving skills were enhanced, you may find that easier to accomplish. Some stones that can be beneficial are; meteorite, angelite, bloodstone, botswana agate, citrine, and dinosaur bone.
Some struggle with addiction, depression or anxiety, or spirituality. Learning how to meditate and find serenity can help. Gems often useful for these challenges are amethyst, lapis lazuli, and smoky quartz.
If you tend to be scattered and changing direction often, or have many ups and downs you might benefit from the grounding and centering of agates, jaspers, and hematite.
Perhaps there is a relationship you feel you'd like to rebuild? Chrysocolla is the stone to seek. Rose quartz is the stone of love; all forms of love- if you are looking for romance, or friendship, or self love.
Here are two guides to help you choose, one is my website list of metaphysical properties and one is a chart from the internet- see which you connect with more. I love Melody's book "A Kaleidoscope of Crystals".
https://terristreasures.biz/metaphysical-properties/
This January, when making your RESOLUTIONS– REMEMBER–stay positive, gentle, reasonable, then you can RELISH, REVIVE,REFRESH, RESOLVE, REFORM, RECREATE, RELAX, AND REWARD YOURSELF!!!
I wish us all a happy, healthy, prosperous, new year!
Treasure the real gems in life! Take care.
FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA
