How many of us get to the end of the year and ask ourselves What was this year really all about? What did I learn? Did I grow spiritually? Was I successful? Am I any happier?

For me, the overarching theme this year was the challenge of learning to live from the inside out.  With the world as my mirror, 2010 taught me a new meaning to the term ‘a year in reflection.’

January got off to a slow start.  I knew I needed to set my goals: without them I would go nowhere. February held the promise of Valentine’s Day and for the first time in my life I felt I had the love and support of a partner who knew me. By March I had hit a snag, coming face to face with the challenge of what it means to be your authentic Self and how hard it can be to live your truth!

April showed me that I was growing and shifting and it was time to create some fresh opportunities, and by May I found myself jetting off to the US and London to share The Wish with new friends.  Through May, June and July I learned the power of living in the now and was happily practising the art of appreciation!  And in August I achieved a 20 year dream, when I moved into my Wish house.

In September, I fell off my cloud!  I felt horribly stuck and frustrated, totally blocked by my own fear.  In a moment of madness, I decided to share my feelings on Facebook and to unravel myself publicly. My block turned out to be a fear of intimacy, the fear of being seen for who I am.  I was determined to push through it, and with the support and encouragement of The Wish community, I survived to taste the freedom that comes from being emotionally authentic.

Suddenly it was October and I was on a plane heading back to the US for another Wish adventure, this time to train our newest Wish Facilitators from the US, Canada and Ireland and to be part of the Maria Shriver 2010 Women’s Architects of Change® Conference in California. Being part of the conference provided a wonderful platform to share The Wish and our philosophy internationally.

Not surprisingly, one of my highlights was meeting Maria Shriver and giving her a copy of The Wish. Caught up in the drama and being escorted by the secret service, I literally ran to catch up with her. It all seemed a little crazy and surreal.  Ironically, it was when I walked away that I actually understood what it meant to be a true architect of change.  In that moment I knew that it was time to stop running.  It was time to stop chasing after answers that were outside of me. 

Only ‘I’ could create a lasting change in my world.  It could only ever come from within.  To be an architect of change in the world, we need to change ourselves first.

As I write this newsletter, Oprah has just arrived in Australia for the start of her Aussie adventure.   As you know, one of my greatest wishes is to meet Oprah and to play a game of The Wish.  With Oprah so close, I can feel myself being tested.  I know I must be patient and trust events will unfold as the Universe intends.  With this year’s lessons in mind, I will stay true to my heart!

Thank you for sharing this year with me.   I feel I have grown wiser and more loving in your company. Your generous support has given me a platform from which to raise and strengthen my inner voice.  Thank you for trusting me with your stories and welcoming me into your lives. I am forever grateful.

The Wish^® Team and I wish you and your family and friends the very happiest of Holiday Seasons. May all your wishes come true!

I look forward to seeing you in the New Year.

Best Wishes
Louise