2024 arrived with a lot of intensity for me, with my move on the 1st and my father’s death on the 2nd. I am just now catching my breath, and realizing that my usual New Year’s Eve ceremoniousness was skipped-over. For decades now, I have honored an annual personal ritual of consciously releasing the old and welcoming the new, at the turn of the year. The tradition was born right after my divorce 20 years ago, as a way of anchoring a new way forward for my children and me. I bought us each a pocket-sized notebook, and we decorated the covers, and a little wooden box to store them in until the next New Year’s Eve. I don’t let it get complicated by thoughts or beliefs about what is the “real” calendar, or how January 1st came to be recognized as a turning point. I simply find how I can benefit from an annual review-and-revision time.
My ritual generally looks something like this:
*Page 1: Write out all the “big moments,” and epiphanies from the year that is ending.
*Page 2: Write down the things/thoughts/beliefs/behaviors/habits/activities/ relationships/etc. that I am willing or ready to let go of from that past year (and I tear out this page and symbolically burn it in a candle flame or fire).
*Page 3: Write my positive visions and desires for the coming year, and any thoughts/beliefs/habits I definitely wish to bring forward with me.
*Page 4: Choose theme-word, phrase, or mantra that I will carry in my heart throughout the New Year, and declare it out loud.
I invite you to adopt this practice for yourself, revise it as you wish, or create your own from scratch. It has been a really helpful tool for me in my conscious-living journey. I tend to informally do an abbreviated version on a weekly basis, usually Sunday evenings, as a mindful practice of tuning in to where my focus has been recently, what my results have been, and where I need to focus in the coming week in order to welcome the results I desire. For me, this kind of review and revisioning has become a simple and pleasurable habit, and an automatic piece of my overall self-care.
I don’t allow ‘beating myself up’ over missions not yet accomplished, or poor habits not yet relinquished (when the temptation to be hard on myself arises, I notice, and I do my best to redirect my thoughts). I am simply continuously observing my progress on all levels (including emotional and spiritual growth), and noticing where and how I would like to make refinements going forward.
It has been my observation, working with myself as well as with many other individuals over time, that sustainable, enjoyable physical self-discipline becomes possible as emotional and spiritual health and resilience emerges. So if you struggle with maintaining the self-discipline needed to reach your personal goals, it will be time well-spent to put some deep focus on developing your emotional and spiritual well-being and resilience. You may be amazed by the new self-discipline muscles that grow naturally.
One of my areas of primary goals in 2024 is the re-development of my Living Heart Sanctuary, in my new home by the nature park. I am off to a great beginning here, and will be ready to welcome my first retreat guests at the end of this month. And, some of my core visions for the Sanctuary will not come to fruition until the following high season (next winter), and beyond. One of my most essential and most challenging personal learning curves has been (and continues to be!) to slow the design-and-build process down, and savor and appreciate that journey. I can happily share what I have to share, and cherish the visions I know are yet to come. This can be applied to any area of life, not just building projects.
My new property is a ‘Certified Butterfly Garden,’ with monarchs, yellow sulphurs, and other varieties in happy abundance. They offer lots of inspiration!
Visioning is one of my genius-zones, and I am often impatient to see my visions to quick fruition, whether they be a vision for a new garden or living space, or some new area of self-development or adventure. Sometimes fast, intense action is most rewarding and appropriate, but other times there is greater value in building or changing slowly and mindfully. Discerning the difference is a key skill. And always, it is valuable to maintain enough space every day for my own self-care, grounding and balance, no matter the scope of my bigger dreams.
Another area of primary 2024 goals for me is in the department of relationships. It’s been an area of big shifts over the past 4 years, since moving from Michigan, experiencing the changing social dynamics of the covid-era, ending an 8-year partnership, and now navigating new family dynamics with the loss of my father. I intend to direct significant energy to this arena, engaging mindful discernment around my deepest desires and needs going forward.
Have you given deep consideration to what you desire to bring to fruition in your life in 2024? What would you love to give? How would you most love to serve? What do you desire to create? What do you need to relinquish to make space for new visions? How might you create a fun and meaningful process around this for yourself? Do you need support with this process, or do you desire to share the process or your goals with someone in your inner circle? Or, is it more helpful for you to keep it all, or some aspects, intentionally closer to your heart to encourage some deeper inner work connecting with your own intuitive wisdom and self-reliance?
While we are still in the first month of 2024, I’d like to welcome this new year, whatever new surprises it may bring - expecting everything, expecting nothing - and ask for us ALL to be blessed and held with love on our journeys into the known and unknown.
“Turn your face to the sun, and the shadows fall behind you.” - one of my favorite proverbs
Blessings on the New Year!