Happy New Year everyone! My prayer is that 2026 will be a kinder year for everyone. I get excited about New Year's not because of the parties, I never attend any. But because for me every January 1st means I get to start a new chapter in my book of life and that is exciting.
On December 31st I look back over the year - Where did I excel? Where did I fail? How can I improve? But I also look at what I want to manifest for myself in the new year, the possibilities are endless and that is so exciting.
My father used call New Year's Day the “Do Over Day." He would say to me “Patty, this is a new beginning, all mistakes of the past are now erased, today you get to decide if it is a good year or a hard one, which will it be?” I would also choose good of course! He would then ask me “well ok if you want a good year what are you going to do to make it so because Patty, no one can make it good for you except you.” And he and I would make a list together.
My father gave me a lot of wisdom growing up and a lot of my strength comes from my dad. And this morning I heard his spirit ask me “Patty, which do you choose, a good year or a hard year?” And I told him a good year and of course I heard “only you can make it good Patty.”
So, I meditated and thought what do I want this year? And wrote down some realistic goals for myself, goals that I can achieve. Some goals are spiritual, some physical. The New Year makes me look inward and look at what I need to change, whether it's my attitude, perspective, beliefs - whatever it is. It is my new chapter in my book that I get to create, no one else but me.
One thing I am doing this year is looking at my chronic pain and disability not as a punishment or something I must endure, but rather as an opportunity. I am looking at what suffering is teaching me and believe me when I say it's teaching me a lot.
Suffering is teaching me to be more gentle with myself and others. It is teaching me how to help others in their own suffering, it is teaching me patience, compassion, empathy. I am learning that my suffering can be helpful to others and that it has purpose.
My suffering may even be teaching my own doctor better ways of handling people with chronic pain, example of this is at my last appointment she got a bit frustrated with me for I refused to take narcotics for pain and she threw her hands up and said I don't know what to do here. I turned to her and said well maybe instead of thinking you have to do anything you could just show me some compassion, show me that you understand what I am going through and how scary it is. Maybe instead of throwing pills at me you could say let's sit and come up with a plan.
My doctor looked at me and hugged me and said ok, let's sit and come up with a plan. She also thanked me taking the responsibility of my pain off her shoulders. I laughed and said it was never yours to hold.
I am learning that my body hasn't betrayed me, I betrayed it - I never took care of myself. I drank too much, did way too many drugs, I smoked like a chimney, and I was in many physically abusive relationships and that takes a toll on your body. So, today I show my body love by listening to what it needs whether it is good nutrition or rest. I am now taking care of the body I never did before and I have learned to appreciate my body for the first time ever.
Today, I do not resent my suffering but embrace it like a friend. A friend who is teaching me to not be afraid, a friend who is reminding me that life wasn't always easy, but I survived. A friend who is reminding me that I am alive. A friend who is teaching me it's ok to know your limits and accept them.
2026 is the year of the horse. And the horse will help you move with confidence, open doors that you are now ready for, and the horse will restore your momentum in all areas of your life. Let's ride our horses with confidence!
Sessions for Spiritual Counseling are held at my home office or by virtual chat. I do have cats and understand some people have allergies, if that is the case, we can chat virtually.
My office hours will be Sunday, Monday, and Tuesdays from 10 - 6 PM. Scheduling is available online via my website.
If you have additional questions about Spiritual Counseling/Guidance and if it is for you, please feel free to contact me via e-mail at
spiritualpathwaysnh@gmail.com.
Namaste,
Pat Laurino
Intuitive Energy Healer/Spiritual Psychic/Medium
