Heart-2-Heart With Santa

Written by Sheryl Maharaj, Relationship Consultant And Founder, Nourish

Sheryl Maharaj is well-recognised globally as a Relationship Consultant, specialising in multifaceted workplace dynamics and interpersonal relationships, with a unique focus on breaking patterns for transformative change. Sheryl integrates her love for ancient traditions and science-based methodology in human development for meaningful results.

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Reflecting on 2024, this letter explores the beauty of embracing imperfection, observing your world daily and intentionally staying aligned with one’s energy.

Dear Santa,

Here are my Top Observations from 2024

• Willful blindness exists in many professions asked to define and role model integrity. 

• The sky remains blue, even behind the clouds.

• Iced coffee is made with an entire cup of ice cubes i.e. watered-down coffee at a hefty cost. 

• Children under the age of 20 years of age, without fully developed brains - drive cars, make adult decisions, drink alcohol, get married and the list goes on. 

• It takes courage to stand tall and resolute in your truth and even more courage, to accept the truth. 

• If nothing is certain, anything is possible.

• Miracles exist even if unexplainable.

• Delusions ignore elements that may inform and shape your fantasy effectively. 

• A fantasy isn’t a map of reality, it just plays in potential. 

• Working on the wrong plan feels like a push-up hill and drains your life force.

• The wisdom of the body is profoundly beautiful.

• Scale the dragon to an appropriate size then move towards it one small step at a time. 

• Grateful to the amazing teachers in my life, most of whom I have never met in person. 

• The greatest teachers, coaches, professionals and leaders can relate, resonate and comprehend the situation and context. Why? Because they have experienced it in some shape or form. 

• The heart knows first. The mind continues to play catch up.

• We all have a default face. Check it out in the mirror. It’s the face that is neutral. 

• An individual's voice denied and minimised is an act of coercive control.

• The moon as a night symbol relies on the sun to radiate its beauty.

• Children arrive in our lives to teach us the most sacred lessons in our lifetime.

• People who judge others fail to look at their reality, perhaps in fear of the truth they will find.

• Overeating, broccoli and spinach is not good for you.

• The best things in life are free. 

• Unwarranted feedback and decisions from insecure individuals can cause more destruction than be a source of wisdom.

• Adopting an upright posture lifts your spirit.

• Asking for help, is an act of courage.

• Perfectionism is masked as trauma.

• There is so much beauty and potential lying dormant in humans.

• It is best to be who you are – flaws and all – than try to fit into a cookie cutter created by someone else.

• 25-year-old adults still live at home with their parents.

• An expansive emotional landscape will allow you to meet indescribable parts within the depths of your being.

• Real people are complicated. This should be factored into decision-making.

• No – is a full sentence. 

• We share this planet with the most amazing living things.

• Children learn to hate, judge, criticise and love from their parents. 

• You meet the core of your being only once everything is stripped away.

• Bullies have low self-esteem, even with long prestigious titles. 

• The ibis tilts its long neck, 180 degrees to use its beak to drink water and flies as high as a 12-storey building.

• Don’t force or chase relationships, friendships, circumstances, or situations.

• If you are on the right path of ease or challenges, your life force energy remains aligned and provides momentum.

  
  

Look back to move forward

It's important to look back and reflect on the instincts that have led you this far. To blindfold reality creates obstacles for those who refuse to look. Take in the full picture and connect the dots as far back as possible before moving forward. 

This year has been an intense challenge in extreme circumstances. My spirit has not given up and paved the way for newfound revelations, clarity and character-building, tenfold.

Top go-to natural energy enhancers for 2024

Your energy is visible and can be felt before you even speak. It’s reflected in your health and daily mood. Natural energy enhancers assist through challenges. 

• Hold the right map in the right city

• Don’t follow like sheep

• Stop venting to others

• Have difficult conversations

• Don’t feel obligated to act

• Swap out miserable for another emotion

• Write a love letter 

• Embrace all seasons

• Drink water religiously 

• Break patterns

• Stop being a martyr or warrior or princess 

• Look up and out in the distance and around 

• Don’t pretend to be happy

• Align with your life force energy

• Meet new people

• Do not keep a to-do-list

• Set boundaries with others and yourself

• Tell the truth

• Learn to love

• Drop the perfectionist

• Exercise humility 

• Be gentle in pain

• Release expectations

• Speak up

• Validate yourself

• Choose love

• Aim up

• Stay in your lane

• Help your neighbour 

• Give up being inferior or superior 

• Meditate

• Laugh at yourself 

• Stop explaining yourself to others

• Give up watching the news

• Surprise a friend 

• Be of service 

• Remain flexible and open to experiences

• Do things differently

• Factor in Solitude

• Walk around a wishing tree

• Socialise without alcohol

• Learn to breathe correctly 

• Look forward to Mondays

• Move your body

Ah, Santa. This year has shaken me to my core and not by choice. The only way through it was to feel an expansive emotional landscape and meet and hold, new and indescribable parts of my being. 

It cannot be likened to any other experience in this lifetime but if you have trained for long-distance running, you know it requires painstaking discipline. Only the person willing to commit to the training challenge and long path can lace up their sneakers each new day, get up, stand up, deliberately move, learn to breathe correctly, and face the emotions that want to keep them in bed. The right mindset, technique and support from others can move you along your path. To keep moving through the long stretch an extra-large healthy dose of belief is the one thing to rely on with certainty. 

Like believing in the Christmas Story and Santa - creating space in our hearts trusting in goodwill, timing and guidance that lights up the way. 

Follow me on Instagram, and visit my website for more info!

Read more from Sheryl Maharaj

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Sheryl Maharaj, Relationship Consultant And Founder, Nourish

Sheryl Maharaj is well-recognised globally as a Relationship Consultant And Founder, Nourish. Her services aim to bring awareness to the forefront for individuals, team and organisations with pragmatic tools for moving through conflict, breaking patterns, creating connection, mastering effective communication and decision-making and maintaining sustainable change. She has a background in human development, conflict resolution, polyvagal/nervous system integration and transformative change.