Quick Links (so you can get away from your screen)
INTRODUCTION
We’ve reached the end of 2024 and are moving forward into 2025. Our theme for the year at Lark’s Song in 2024 has been - Symbiotic Genius. This year we focused on exploring and activating our mission from our leadership team’s collaborative best of and expanded our capacity around creative agency, harmonious brilliance, and skillful leadership as a team and community.
There was still so much restoration to work on as we continued to recover from the pandemic, and yet, we also had record numbers of our Lark’s Song Certified Coaches (LSCCs) gain advanced credentialing because our our ICF Level 1 accreditation and we tripled the number children going through Superhero Camp and our Well-being programs. We worked with more organizations and relational systems than ever to accelerate toward their goals with the Appreciative Inquiry process. We expanded our board and are looking forward to expanding our staff and partners in 2025, as well.
Collectively, we are completing one year and continuing into another. But perhaps, instead of seeing the end of 2024 as a full-stop and the beginning of 2025 as a starting line, we could view it as the next phase in a cycle of life, the next wave of our ever-expanding awareness and sense of aliveness.
We want to be very clear, when we say that no matter what happened in 2024, no matter what you did or did not do, no matter what you made happen or what happened to you - there are some things that do not change. As you anticipate this transition, remember that there are some things we know for certain:
We believe that you are creative, resourceful, whole and relational. We believe that you are uniquely valuable. You are worthy of being championed. You are capable of solving complex problems. And you are ready to live at choice.
We believe this is true of you every day, and that these questions are not about being a “better or stronger you.” Because, beautiful human, you are already whole.
These questions are about reflecting to increase awareness and agency in your own life at your own pace and in a way that will serve you and the world around you best.
As we all move in to 2025 with as much courage, wisdom and intention as we can muster, we’d like to offer you this tool as a thank you for supporting us in this year. It was a year of leveling up and out, taking responsibility for our impact, and getting braver about what’s next!
Whether you’ve supported Lark's Song as a client, colleague, partner, coworker, friend or family member, we are incredibly grateful for you! There are many mixed feelings that come up as we think about 2024, but when we think about the people that have co-created with us, the overwhelming sensations are optimism, pride, and resolved focus!
Guided Audio Meditation
Our Board Chair, Dr. Katie Gamby, has partnered with us to offer this guided audio meditation to use with this year's questions. We hope that the meditation can accompany these questions in a manner that facilitates increased well-being by enriching your process with more mindfulness, embodiment, and engagement.
The Questions
(click here to download and print a PDF version of this tool)
What were your top 3 successes, gains and breakthroughs of 2024?
What were top 3 your failures, losses and breakdowns of 2024?
What is one lesson you learned that you want to be sure to always remember - in one sentence of 10 words or less?
Have you given yourself permission and space to process grief, anger, disgust or sadness for what did not go well in 2024? If so, how did you do that? If not, how will you do that?
Who have you harmed in 2024 and what repair work do you need to be sure to do as a result?
How have you been harmed in 2024 and what healing is needed because of that? How can you take responsibility for transforming your own pain in 2025 with practices or rhythms of restorative care?
Have you given yourself permission and space to feel and express pleasure, excitement, happiness, or celebration for all that went well in 2024? If so, how did you do that? If not, how will you do that?
What are you tolerating?
(Make a list! All the broken items, stacks, piles, irritants, half-done projects, etc.)If all you needed to solve your problems was to subtract, what would you get rid of, cut out, let go of or release in 2025?
What one person do you need to pay a gratitude visit to that impacted you in 2024 and was never properly thanked for that?
(A gratitude visit consists of writing a specific and concrete letter of gratitude that is about 300 words long, setting up a meeting with the recipient, reading it out loud to them, and talking together for about 30 minutes afterwards about their impact and getting curious about what is next for them. Consistent gratitude visits have been shown to diminish depression and increase flourishing more than medication and therapy combined.)As you lean back and look forward, what do you want to savor right here in this present moment about your life?
Personal Scavenger Hunt: As you think about the person you were in 2024, go find/gather 1-3 objects or photos that represent that person. Then, as you think about the person that you are right now, gather 1-3 objects or photos that represent that person. Finally, as you think about the person you want to become in 2025, gather 1-3 objects or photos that represent that person. What do you notice about these objects similarities and differences? What do they represent to you?
What is one courageous choice that, if you made it in 2025, would drastically change your life for the better?
What are 2 simple practices that you could start, adapt or continue every day that make you feel more alive?
What is your theme, vision, or word for 2025?
(This is where you get to imagine! Your vision is just a picture of something better, not goals or strategic action points. What does your picture look like? What do you really want for 2024? If you could sum up the year with one word, what would it be? 2024 – the year of _____. There may be a quote, song, piece of art or metaphor that comes to mind.)What 2-3 people do you REALLY want to co-create something meaningful with in 2025?
What are your top 3 priorities for the first quarter of 2025?
(If you struggle with aligning priorities or coming up with goals, breakdown your life into categories and assess which categories you would most like to grow in throughout the coming year – professional development, relationship with spouse/significant other, finances, community involvement, personal/spiritual development, health and well-being, leisure and recreation, family and friends, physical environment, etc. Or use our PERMA+ME Wheel to assess a good place to focus on increasing your well-being.)What 2-3 character qualities would you like to develop in 2025? Who and what will inspire you?
(Try using the VIA Character Strengths Table.)What one thing do you need to remind yourself of every day? How will you remind yourself?
(Get a painting, write it on your mirror, keep a card in your wallet, change the wallpaper on your phone?)If you could transform one relationship, story, space, or problem in 2025, what would it be?
What obstacles, limiting beliefs, or saboteurs can you anticipate may come up in 2025? What’s your plan for overcoming them?
(If you’re not familiar with your saboteurs, check out the Saboteur Assessment from Positive Intelligence. You can also use this simple tool called “WOOP” for creating a plan to reach your desired outcomes and overcome obstacles from the Character Lab.)If you were to assess the voices that are surrounding you (the people in your circles, the books on your shelves, the music/podcasts you listen to, the media you consume), which voices do you need to listen to less? What voices are missing? Who do you need to listen to more?
What accountability and support will you put in place to ensure your fulfillment and flourishing in 2025?
What else are you noticing is waiting to be called forth in you?
How can Lark’s Song help or support you? Will you let us know?
Please tag #larkssong when sharing on social media. We would love to hear your favorite question or how you adapted this process to work for yourself.
If this tool served you well, please consider making a tax-deductible donation of $10 or more to Lark’s Song to help us continue our work in 2025!