Aloha,

 

Winter is the season of reflection, letting go, and clearing away the old. In nature, it prepares everything for spring with its growth and new possibilities. That’s why I wrote my most recent Psychology Today blog suggesting we use this “down time” in the way that nature does:

 

To let go of the past and make way for the new.

 

If we don’t take this opportunity, we’ll still carry around the resentments and unfinished business from the prior year (or prior years!). This means we won’t be prepared to embrace the fresh possibilities of the new year.

 

Clinging to the negative of the past doesn’t just affect us emotionally and psychologically. Studies have shown that holding onto negative emotions such as anger, resentment or hurt are closely connected to a wide range of illnesses including heart disease, cancers, and gastrointestinal problems.

 

So to stay (or become) healthy and to move forward, we’ve got to let all of that past baggage go. Click on the link below to let go of the baggage and create a fresh future:

 

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/focus-forgiveness/201312/what-everybody-ought-know-about-forgiveness

 

Mahalo,
Dr. Matt