Endings

A 2024 Review

Douglas Finkelstein
December 19, 2024

5 minutes to slow down, laugh, and share something in common. Every Thursday.

Today’s Setlist

🎩 One Theme → Endings

😄 Funny Business → Kern!

📊 Community Poll → We love ourselves

🌖 Tonight’s Breathwork → YOGA: Stabilize BREATHWORK: Gratitude Visions (join here) Earth’s moon is currently waning gibbous, a time for presence.

**INFORMING: In 2025, I will be sending out this newsletter at a cadence that is in flow with what feels right. That may be every week, it may not be!

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Endings

I believe that when stepping into anything new, it’s important to reflect on where we’re coming from. Taking stock—acknowledging the endings, the beginnings, and everything in between—creates space for learning, growth, and gratitude.

I haven’t done my year review yet. So here I am, using this newsletter as a reason to sit down, reflect, and do it publicly. Maybe it’ll inspire you to do your own review too. Maybe you’ll find something in my reflections that resonates with your own year. Either way, here’s how 2024 looked for me:

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January

• Papa transitioned back to the spirit world – He had a wonderful life and last few years with us.

• He delivered me a National Championship – Michigan Football won it all, and Papa had a hand in it from above.

• Awe at Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley – Standing in Peru’s Sacred Valley filled me with wonder and reverence. Seeing Machu Picchu in person? A moment I’ll carry forever.

• First iteration of STFD – Back then, it was called “4 Hour Retreat.” A seed planted that continues to grow.

February

• Started evening yoga routine – Has been a huge support for my mood, sleep, everything.

• Finished my Rolfing appointments – Re-learned how to stand, walk, sit, everything. Posture and body comfort are high on my priority list.

March

• Prioritized health with gum grafts and doctor visits – Got it all out of the way at once.

• Epic travel – Dream birthday weekend in Arizona with my family watching hockey, golfing, and playing craps. Then Disney World with friends. Then Toronto for a mushroom journey to release the stress from Disney World.

April

• Prioritized health continues with physical therapy

• Hockey Playoffs – My favorite time of year! When my team (Rangers) is in it…

May

• Mother’s Day with my parents and in-laws - Was a blast to have everyone together this weekend.

• Hockey Playoffs LIVE – Got to go visit Nana in Florida and attend some big & fun games with family.

June

• Got engaged - Here’s Morgan being surprised by her best friend (also named Morgan) that weekend.

• Alaska Cruise – Incredible first experience visiting Alaska. So much wildlife and nature time.

July

• Opened STFD Membership - The official kick-off of my spirituality-based offering.

• Relaxed – I needed some rest after a busy June.

August/September

• Dove deeper into STFD work - Improving offering and exploring ways to get the word out.

October

• Family time - Got to spend time in SoCal with my sister, Emma!

• Business coach alignment - Found help for my business with Erika through my continued Human Design studying throughout the year.

November

• Concerts - Got to see my favorite bands with Morgan and Emma.

• Family time - Got to spend time in SoCal with my in-laws.

December

• Healing - Had a profound plant medicine ceremony.

• Rest - Resting to enter 2025 with a blank canvas.

• Continued studying - Diving ever deeper into my Human Design, reading books, meditating, learning about myself, feeling whole and complete and loved <3