***Picture is of course from our New Years adventure 2023.***
Well, if you cannot tell by my limited posts here and that this is the second New Years post (but I'm being better about posting this year and that will continue), I love the new year. I absolutely do! It is one of my favorite times of the year. Yes, every new moment every day is a chance to start fresh - I both teach and practice that. However, when time is set aside to honor a new year, it is special... like a ritual and ceremony.
Daily reflection and intentions are a powerful routine, and so is doing this annually. I absolutely love reflecting over the past year - all the joy, beauty, growth, struggles, etc. We forget sometimes how much happens in one year and how we grow so much during that time. Part of my New Years ritual is I write down everything from the past year that stands out: the highlights, the struggles, growth, etc. I reflect on the past years intentions. Then, I write down my intentions for the upcoming New Year. For me intentions are different than goals or resolutions - they are more gentle, inviting, and without any pressure.
Life is an adventure by itself, but I also have to have small adventures regularly. Thus, I always either start the New Year, or end the previous year, with some sort of adventure. For me, that means being outside hiking, camping, visiting the ocean, snowshoeing - basically connecting with nature in some way. I also make sure to intentionally have a very powerful yoga practice. It is a very meaningful and intentional time, which allows me to enter the New Year feeling grounded, and ready, even excited, for what is to come.
For me, doing this sets the tone for the New Year - taking time to honor life and with great intent starting the cycle over. I don't know what it looks like for you, but I invite you to set aside time for reflection, of what is behind us and what might be ahead. Perhaps think of what you need to do to feel grounded, ready, and excited for the upcoming adventure of the New Year.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
My two wishes for you:
From one of Mike Heron's songs (not an old Celtic blessing as some had thought):
May the long time sun shine upon you
All love surround you
And the pure light within you
Guide your way on
2. Lokah Samastah Sukinho Bhavantu
May you be filled with much joy and happiness and free from that which causes suffering.
See you in 2024!
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