So it’s the New Year. Is it all better?
The fading days of 2016 held angst, grief, and trepidation about the future. That is not the perfect recipe for hope in the coming year. As the dark days are slowly giving way to light – have you noticed? – I find myself holding on to the color and lights of the holiday season, wanting them last forever. Shouldn’t life be that way?
Looks like we need to work a bit to keep the hope going this new year. Here are a few of my resolutions…
Smile. This fall I found an app that promised to organize my life. All I needed to do was put everything on a calendar. The first step was to list an item with a daily repeat. Since I was doodling, I put ‘smile’. Now I keep getting reminders to do just that. At this point, the app says I’m overdue – since November 8th. I know I have smiled since then, but maybe it has just matched the weather and not broken through to joy. This year, starting now, I’ll practice smiling more for the many blessings of life.
Breathe. Basic but it barely counts if it’s not deep. Relax my shoulders, breathe. Repeat. This sounds easy but as a girl I was taught not to breathe deeply because it made your tummy poke out. I didn’t realize I carried that habit but if I’m ever going to breathe deep, I’d better practice now. We all need to do this. Join me, breathe…
Ground. As I think about – and practice – smiling and breathing, I am transported to a calm place with deep resonance. This is where I find my true grounding. For me, it is the working soul place of reflection, process, and wisdom. Everything in life is easier when I act from this grounding; otherwise, all I do is react. Is that true for you too?
They say three is a charm. Smile. Breathe. Ground. All with repeats. Never out of style. 100% organic. That is how I’m bringing in the new year.
What are your resolutions?
Blessings for the new year,
Rev. Marian