The Importance of Going Inward To Pause and Reflect

Why it’s helpful to slow down, catch your breath, and consider next steps

“The greatest journey is the one of self-discovery.” — Lao Tzu

Hello, my beloved Pub Family — and all the other “Mediumites” who drop by! How are you today? What’s happening in your world?

If you need some TLC and cyber-cuddles or if you want us to congratulate you or cheer you on about something, or even if you just want to tell us what you had for breakfast today because it was weird and/or wonderful or burnt to a crisp, please drop into the comments and let us know.

HHH is here for you, “for better or worse!” Oh, dear. I know, I’ve been divorced six times 🤦🏻‍♀️ (definitely not what I was plannin’ for my life) and should be allergic to those words, but they’re the only ones that sprang to mind in that moment. (Uh…I suppose that’s no surprise. Like when you’ve heard a song a million times and the lyrics stick to your brain like glue…)

The point is — if you want to share what’s happening in your world, we’re here to listen and support or cheer or commiserate — whatever you need, okay? The comment section is your best friend (well, next to us, of course!) 😬

In a recent newsletterish, I mentioned a li’l somethin’ as a numerologist. I said that with my upcoming birthday I’d be starting a Personal Year 7, and that I could already feel that energy rolling into my life.

This is because the energy of each Personal Year gradually builds to the halfway point 6 months after your birthday and then begins to wane and shift into the energy of the following Personal Year as you approach the next birthday.

I used to think numerology was just a bit of fun until I met a numerologist at one of my art exhibitions. He bought one of my paintings to use for a project he was working on and out of curiosity, I retained his services a few weeks later.

To make a longish story short, I was absolutely blown away by what he shared with me. I could have sworn he’d been following me around for a few decades and had also managed to find his way into my inner world.

He was into all sorts of metaphysical goodies and ended up being my spiritual mentor for several years, teaching me Tarot, numerology, and various other delicious tools that could help me in my life, and that I could then use to help others in theirs.

The Personal Year information has been massively helpful, assisting me in having a sense of what to expect in the coming year, how to navigate the challenges successfully, and how to maximise the potentials.

Some of you might remember 2 years ago I shared in an HHH newsletterish about my upcoming Personal Year 5. I said it was all about “change” — some I would want, some I wouldn’t, but ultimately all for my benefit, according to numerology.

And if you read that piece, you might remember I said I’d been aching for a lot of change after feeling terribly stuck for several years.

I even went so far as to say, “Bring it on!”

Oops.

Well, to sum up what happened … I left my beloved England (which I thought I would never do), moved across the planet to care for a dear friend who was ill — but he died unexpectedly as soon as I got there — then I had to scramble to find somewhere else to be, moved back to Alberta and stayed in a friend’s basement intending to get my own place ASAP, but a few weeks later, a terrible injury blew up my world and 16 months later, I’m still not able to walk without support.

All of this within 3 months.

So, um … yeah. “Bring it on!” I said. “I’m ready for massive change!” I said. Yep. I really did. 🤦🏻‍♀️ Be careful what you wish for.

Last year I was in a Year 6. Among other things, it has a huge emphasis on the home. I moved into my own place a few weeks after my birthday last February, and although I’ve been stuck inside due to my injury, that’s been okay with me as I’ve been enjoying a lot of Amazon-shopping and puttering to create a cosy sense of “home” again. I haven’t had much interest in anything else — typical of a Year 6.

I’m sharing this little recap to demonstrate the power of numerology.

Does this mean you will only experience change in a Year 5? Of course not. You can experience change in any year, but it’ll be much more pronounced as an overall theme in a Year 5 than in the others.

You can also expect change in the very rare Year 11 or even rarer Year 22 (you get only one of these in a lifetime, maybe two). Or in a Year 1, which is all about newness, rebirth, fresh starts and transformation. Or a Year 9 — endings, completions, letting go — definitely not a good time to start anything new — a relationship, a business, a project. Pretty much anything started in a Year 9 is bound to fail at some point.

The energy of your Personal Year will be present in your life, whether you’re aware of it or not. Fighting it only makes things worse. That’s why it’s so helpful to be aware of what to expect so you can work with the energy, rather than butt heads with it and make life harder than it needs to be.

In a few days, I’ll be launching into a Year 7 and I can’t wait. It’s exactly what I need on the heels of so much change and a long period of feeling unsettled (let’s not even talk about the fact that this was my 50th move, or any of the deeply upsetting life challenges that prompted that situation). I need to catch my breath. To contemplate where I’ve been and where I’m headed. To re-evaluate and reflect.

Here’s a peek at what’s ahead for me in the coming year:

PERSONAL YEAR — 7 — ‘THOUGHT & INTROSPECTION’

A vital pause in your life. Quiet time. A time to take stock of where you have been and where you are going. You need now to increase and broaden your knowledge and wisdom as much as possible. Skepticism always stems from ignorance; now is the time to remove that ignorance. Ask, question, study, think, write, analyse. These are all things that will provide fulfilment this year.

The year is likely to be more solitary than others, but use this private time to rest and recuperate. Gardening or work with animals will appeal now, as will music. Use the time to pursue these interests as well.

Meditation, relaxation, inner knowledge and spiritual enlightenment are all highlighted now. Expect a seeming pause in progress in the outside world. Developments will occur and progress will be made, but not on your timetable. Things will happen when they are ready to. You must wait. Feelings of restriction and limitation may result, but you can be certain the rewards will come next year. Things that you research now can be put into action for significant effect next year.

Take time to think things through. Rash or immediate actions will tend to cause you problems now. A measured, reasonable response will get results.

You may appear detached and aloof to others and their reactions to you may not be positive. If so, do not fight or be aggressive. Quiet explanation will suffice until the picture becomes clearer to them.

You should take the time to check on health matters. Ending this year physically healthy will be needed if you are to take full advantage of next year’s opportunities.

Do you have to be in a Year 7 to take time out, go inward and reflect as is suggested above?

Nope. We should be doing that regularly anyway for our own well-being. This is where we begin with self-care, with healing old emotional wounds, and with staying in alignment with who we are, who we want to be, and how to make that happen.

In a Year 7, however, the urge — the need — for all of this is so much stronger than at any other time.

“In order to understand the world, one has to turn away from it on occasion.” — Albert Camus, The Myth of Sisyphus and Other Essays (1942)

The Invitation: I would love to see your submissions of poems, stories, essays — whatever strikes your fancy — on anything that has come up for you while reading my little story above. How do you feel about going inward and reflecting on things? Do you do this regularly, or occasionally? How does it help you? What are your challenges with it?

Let your thoughts wander where they will as you reflect on the ideas that I’ve shared. I’m curious to see where you end up and look forward to your submissions!

MEDIUM “PUB CRAWL,” MARCH 19, 2024

I am so excited!!! I’ve been invited to participate in Medium’s “Pub Crawl” next month! This means a fun opportunity to have live chats with people on Zoom and talk about HHH and share what we’re all about here! Yippee! Maybe you’ll stop by and say “Hellooooo!!!!” ??

I just have to work out a Zoom snag with them, so assuming they can resolve that quickly, all will be well.

I’ll share more details as they become available. In the meantime, I’m happy dancin’! Woohoo!!!!! Cha cha cha!! 💃🏻

Your Fantastic Submissions!

Wow! Once again, I’m blown away by the brilliant writers we have here in our Pub Family. Another week filled with beautiful, meaningful, inspiring submissions — with some good dollops of humour here and there, too. Just like whipped cream. Mmm. I love a good dollop of whipped cream. And humour, too.

Please accept my heartfelt gratitude to all of you who submit to HHH and who support its writers by highlighting, clapping and commenting. We have such a beautiful Pub Family and it’s steadily growing since I reopened a few months ago and began adding writers again.

Currently, we’re up to 83 writers already! Wow! I’m honoured and so excited every time I see a new writer pop up and ask to join our community.

We’ve also leapt from mid-200s in followers to 345! Yay! We’re growing! Isn’t it exciting?

I couldn’t do it without you and your ongoing kind support for what we’re building together. Thank you so much for helping me reach those who need Hope, Healing and Humour to assist them on their journeys.

I appreciate you more than I can say! 💜

Check Out These Great Stories!

So … below are our beautiful submissions from the past week. Please grab a cuppa somethin’ and settle in for a variety of topics and stories that’ll warm your heart and lift your spirits.

J Oliver Dempsey shares a short, moving poem that will strike a deeply emotional chord and resonate with many (and check out his talent as an illustrator in the adorable drawing that accompanies this powerful poem):

Trisha Faye shares an insightful story about following her intuition to keep her safe — and it contains an important message that can keep you safe, too:

Ahilya B offers some great info and tips on how to stop keeping yourself small (and I know a lot of people will relate to this!):

Daniel Ng shows us yet another way in which he was willing to be open-minded and stretch himself in an area that he really didn’t like. And what a fantastic and life-changing result!

Brenda Grate has written a short and very sweet “sort of fairy tale” with a clear, simple, and powerful message that will resonate with many readers:

And Lisa Precious / Smiley Blue offers a deeply intimate story about an all-too-common struggle — one that many keep secret while it destroys them in mind, body and soul:

Mark Tulin offers a peek at his inner world and what makes him tick. I love discovering this about others because it helps us understand one another. This is how we create true, deep, meaningful connection.

Sheri Jacobs shares a massively important message in this short but blow-your-doors-off piece!!

Grace Delphia tells the shocking story of daily abusive “school dinner” treatment by staff — with a hilarious and satisfying ending!

AJ shares a most thrilling moment in his writing journey in this inspiring short story — and I’m sure it’s one to which all of us can relate:

Daniel Ng never ceases to amaze me. With the ongoing painful challenge of his beloved wife’s deteriorating health on top of his own concerns, he keeps lifting himself out of the darkness and being a Light for others:

Sofia Felina López shares an eye-opening tale of meeting someone who was terribly transphobic, and how she turned that situation on its head:

HAPPINESS + WEALTH ⭐ shares an absolutely lovely little story that packs a powerful punch! And it also offers three small, but extremely useful words that have already found a place in my heart and mind forevermore!

Christina used to feel embarrassed and awkward about shedding tears — until a shocking comment at a deeply sensitive time turned that idea on its head:

Kyle Wells offers a beautiful look at forests … such lovely imagery and a range of feelings — and mostly for me, a profound sense of peace:

Rick Allen has written an insightful piece on the importance of taking care of your inner world, your emotions, and especially your ability to be compassionate with yourself:

Tagging our beloved Pub Family so you can support our community by reading these beautiful pieces of their souls:

Kris Bedenian Rodney Brazier Patti Murray Voncannon Carrie Kolar Croix Sather Deb Fiore Dina Alexander DL Nemeril Donnette Anglin Loren Lieberthal Jimmy Misner Jr. Judy Millar Julie Gaeta Pene Hodge Karen Schwartz James Knight Dr. Preeti Singh Radhika Iyer Sam Branstner Umme Salma Tamil T Mann Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles Lion~ Wendy S. Bradfield Yana Bostongirl Jo An Fox-Wright Maddox Suma Narayan Shameem Anwar Irene Fassler Sandy Peckinpah Trista Signe Ainsworth Slow train Ashley Nicole B.R. Shenoy Carolyn Hastings Christina Christine Vann, MSc. Ellie Jacobson Isabel Young Kaz Rochford Nia Simone McLeod Nicole Hilbig Patricia Wright Pam Winter Jodian Marie Thomas, MS, Bsc, Asc L Burton Danielle Hestand Sahil Patel Malky McEwan Barbara Cook Tyra Jaide Eko BP Drashti Shroff Evergreen Eden Bernie Pullen Rhea Anglesey CARMEN F MICSA Robin Oakman Mary Vraa Libby Shively McAvoy Kristina God Niall Leah Debbra Lupien, Voice of the Akashic Records Toya Qualls-Barnette Vashni Stories Dawn :) Divya Goswami BichoDoMato Evon Carole Olsen Sharon Sayler, Author Jennifer Dunne Kylie van Gelder Neha Sonney, Author Christina Sponias Ian Hanson JF Danskin Patrick OConnell Mary V Elvie Lins❤️ Carmellita Gauri Sirur Kristie Leong M.D. IJaveria Ansari Asim Nori Dipo Adebayo Andreia Damian Jenine Bsharah Baines Jodi Marie Mahein Kazi Mario López-Goicoechea Raine Lore Vishal Mehta Aarti Tailor A Rustic Mind (Manali Desai) Mona S Gable Anne Emerick Andra Forbes Anaya Nosso Kasturi Patra Mary B Mel Janecka Rebecca Romanelli Life not abrupt (L.n.a.) Rebecka Rose Hollie Petit, Ph.D. Michael Mallen Gauri Sirur Raine Lore Penny Walsh CARMEN F MICSA, MA in English, podcaster Mary V Marilyn Flower Srini James Beaufait Joe Merkle Rupa Mahanti Binky Ink Writing Trisha Faye John Antony Mario López-Goicoechea Sherry Atkinson Seda Anbarcı Ella de Jong Katherine Myrestad HAPPINESS + WEALTH ⭐ Nathan Chen Zeenat Merchant Syal, M.A, M.Sc Ben Ulansey Brandon Kam Victoria Kjos J Oliver Dempsey Binky Ink Writing Karen Schwartz AJ Carrie Kolar TzeLin Sam Sally Prag Jenine “Jeni” Baines Vera-Marie Landi Alan (AJ) Autistic Widower Rebecca A Emrich Grace Delphia Simply Sophia Sheri Jacobs Ella de Jong Tamara Embrey Trisha Faye Carolina Smith Janet Meisel Elena dL Daniel Ng JonesPJ Nathan Chen Amir Bibi Rick Allen Helen Gilmore Marcus aka Gregory Maidman OCTAVIA EVER AFTER Qaiser Khan Benighted Sharon Johnson Julie KingGood Nina Sklansky Debbie Soderberg Kirchner Jolka Maria Rattray Shereen Bingham Kyle Wells Cristina Cattai Charisse Tyson Sam Letterwood Sara Fellers Mehak Adlakha Lisa Precious / Smiley Blue Kumar Devesh Chantal Christie Weiss Hisho Sam David Parker🌸 Robyne Sautner Mike Sansone Darlene López Kimberley Abraham Tamara Low Lynn L. Alexander Ahilya B Michelle Lovett, LCSW, E-RYT Mark Tulin Robin Klammer Suzie Alexander Brenda Grate Arpad Nagy Jasmin Wolf Sofia Felina López