There are so many, many things to be grateful for in 2012 — things to count among my own personal wins, successes, and breakthroughs. You, dearest blog readers, are among those at the top of my list. I’m so thankful to share this space with you, to read your comments, and to see the evidence of you coming back every few days to see what’s new on the Treelife blog. This space is so special to me. While our connection is virtual, the impact is very real. Thank you, thank you for showing up and making this space a sacred one for me to share the rhythms, rituals, and rites of passage in my own life and work. I have good feelings about 2013 and this space.
With that in mind, there is a special ritual I like to do on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day every year and I’d like to gift it to you. It’s a written/journaled exercise and it is a great assistance to me in saying goodbye to the year that is ending, and saying a big hello to the new year, with energy, ideas, and enthusiasm. It has 4 parts to it, and sometimes requires more than one sitting.
Step One:
*Make a list of all your wins, successes, and breakthroughs from 2012. Look at all the areas of your life.
*Make a list of all your losses, disappointments, and breakdowns from 2012.
Be as thorough as you can be.
Step Two:
Looking over the past year, what are the 5-7 lessons that you have learned? Choose lessons that you want to carry over with you into the next year and list them.
Step Three:
Imagine ahead one year and write a list of all the wins, success, and breakthroughs for the coming year, 2013. What would you like to learn or accomplish in the next year? *Write this list as though it has already happened.* (using the past tense here is very important) Make it as long as you choose and be sure to look at each area of your life. For example: 1. I got pregnant. 2. I cleaned out all of my storage spaces. 3. I learned to knit.
Step Four:
Much like the Chinese tradition that gives names to each year, choose a name for this coming year. Use images, symbols, or ideas to name the coming year. What image will allow you to step more fully into what you want to be? For example, *The year of Balance. Or, *The year of calm waters.
(exercise adapted from Coaching for Transformation)
I highly encourage you to give this ritual a go. I give myself an hour or two for this exercise every year, and then tuck it away and don’t look at it again until the following New Year’s Eve. I’m always amazed at how much of what I wrote down happens, in one way or another, and furthermore, how powerful it is to state what I want with intention. I hope it’s fruitful for you!
Happy New Year to all.
Thank you so much for sharing this, friend. I just spent almost 2 hours doing this exercise, and I found it incredibly clarifying and inspiring. Happy New Year! And fyi, my 2013 will be the Year of Peaceful Surrender.