“And suddenly you know: It's time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.”
―
There is something primal about the New Year, where millions of humans celebrate a day of beginning again…a day of reset, another chance!
I am not referring to New Year’s resolutions of which, according to a survey by time management experts Franklin Covey, a full 35 percent are broken before the end of January of that year.
The survey found that only 23 percent of New Year's Eve resolutions were kept, which is just slightly more than one person out of five, which equates to millions of individuals each year who couldn't keep a promise made to a hopeful self at the beginning of the year. So much for hope!
There are many reasons for this ongoing reality. Of those surveyed, 40 percent said they had too much to do to keep their commitment. Modern life!! Another 33 percent said that not being fully committed to the resolutions in the first place was the real reason they failed to stick with them. Self-deception!
That is why my notion of what it means to begin again has nothing to do with resolutions, as I have contributed to those statistics year after year myself!
What I am referring to is the high art of beginning again that immigrants, recovering addicts, new lovers and poets know about. Here is a poem by an unknown author that captures the sentiment I am speaking of:
Begin Again
One of the best things we can do in our lives is
Begin again
Begin to see yourself as you were when you were the happiest
Begin to remember what worked for you and what worked against you
Begin to try and re-capture the magic that is life
Begin to live a lifetime each day as you did when you were a child
Begin to forget your baggage, the problems that don't matter anymore, the tears that cried themselves away, and the worries that are going to wash away on the shore of tomorrow’s new beginning
Tomorrow tells us it will be here every new day of our lives
If we are wise, we will turn away from the problems of the past
And give the future and ourselves a chance to become the best of friends
Sometimes all it takes is a wish in the heart to let yourself
Begin again
Consider this ritual, which will create an opening for you as you enter the New Year willing and ready to make changes that come from your soul:
What you will need:
- Sage
- Candle
- Paper and pen.
- A place to burn—could be a burning bowl or big seashell.
- A willing heart.
Ritual:
Light a candle and burn some sage.
Set the intention to become a clear vessel for Spirit.
On a piece of paper, write 2018 at the top. Create two columns, and put the word “FAILING” on the left, and the word “LEARNING” on the right.
Take the time to answer the following question with as many answers as you can.
Question: Where have I failed myself or someone else?
Take 10 minutes to rapidly write a list of your failings in the left hand column.
Take another 15 minutes to write the learning you have acquired as a result in the right hand column.
Close your eyes and begin to take conscious deep breaths, as you hold the paper or papers to your each one of your chakras, beginning at your pelvic area, your lower abdomen, your solar plexus, your heart, your throat, your third eye, and the crown of your head.
Imagine taking in the wisdom contained in the paper at every level of your being. Let all the feelings from the writing wash over you, whether regret, shame, sadness, relief—whatever it may be. Feel it all as you breathe in, and surrender with each outbreath.
Forgive each and every person involved in the grievances—particularly yourself—-as you embrace the learning which arose as a result. Take your time for this, and feel whatever arises.
Say out loud what you have learned at a deep level and express gratitude for all that your Soul had offered you this past year to grow and deepen, including the suffering and the contrast to what you really want. We learn by contrast much of the time.
Call in the state of being you long to feel in the New Year. Focus it into one word. Maybe more acceptance, maybe more joy, maybe more focus. Call it in! Standing, say “ I call in………….. this coming year. I take a stand for…….. in this coming year.”
Shred the paper with your hands. You are ready to burn now, in whatever safe way you can. As the smoke from the paper wafts upward, send your prayers of gratitude and intention with the smoke.
You are a co-creator with the Universe, so feel your willingness to be supported in this beginning again.
May you make deep peace with your past to open a clear space for the dreams that long for expression in this year to come?
