For over a decade, I have used this time of year to look back, even as I begin to explore what’s ahead in the coming year. For me, it’s a time for personal retreat and introspection. I ask questions of myself about where I’ve come from, what I’ve done, and how it all ties into what I am experiencing now.
We have all heard the many admonitions about not looking at, especially worrying about, the past and the future, so that we can focus on the present moment – as the only sure moment we have.
In spite of this, I believe it’s imperative that we value the continuum of all time.
What do you do with the life lessons and stories that molded who you are today, and how do they serve your precious, present moments? How does your past inform and direct the paths you choose for your tomorrows?
Wisdom abounds within earth-based cultures, which often hold beliefs contrary to those typical in western-oriented societies.
Sankofa is a word from the West African, Ghanaian, Twi language which embodies a concept and philosophy now increasingly embraced on a global level.
Sankofa means to go back, to retrieve from the past, that which is of value and service to our present – and our future too. The Sankofa bird, as pictured above, is reaching back (symbolizing the past) to bring an egg (symbolizing the future) forward. What an empowering concept for you to embrace in whatever stage of life you find yourself. Sankofa is powerful in its representation of change and transformation.
Use this time to intentionally look back at your own life, and pull forward what will serve you for today and into your future.
Retreat and Sankofa,
