It's a man-made construct - the notion of the "New Year". The cycles of the seasons are continuous and ongoing. And I love that this idea we've agreed on - defining winter as the time to designate new beginnings - is in keeping with the natural flow. All goes inward in nature in the winter. The sap slows, deepening down into the roots. Only the healthy stock survives to face, grow and blossom into the new year.
It is a time when many make resolutions for this next turning of the wheel. What I notice is that many of these promises-to-the-self are taken on externally like a cloak. And - like a costume wrapped around, they easily fall by the wayside as the year progresses. My clients come to me in dismay about their inability to keep their commitments to themselves.
I propose that we take the time to go deeper. Settle in to the more stable center from which our actions and activities originate. Seek there the deeper intent behind or beneath those external resolutions. Then, turn that awareness into a mantra of sorts - a daily invocation to honor our deepest intentions. This gives us the strength to hold the focus of what is important by also providing the flexibility to sway with the changing circumstances that our daily lives will most definitely give us!
To you - in the Joy of the ever-changing Seasons; and the strength of the core of your Heart ~
This points to self examination. Why we do what we do? Without self examination and insite focus it is going to be challenging to keep any resolution given the hectic and consumption oriented nature of our modern society.
ReplyDeleteIt is also helpful from my expereince to have a spiritual focus to what we do and why we do it. Insite meditaion can be a useful tool to keep us stay centered and on track.
Really agree with statements about "going deeper" to help make our good intentions a reality. From our work with people we know that New Year's resolutions, or affirmations of any kind, are difficult to keep if our subconscious has objections to them.
ReplyDeleteA practical way to address these objections is first to identify them by sitting quietly, stating our intention or affirmation aloud, then listening for the little voice that may say, in effect, "no you can't."
A simple example might be: "My business will be a success in the new year." Objection: " The economy is too bad."
Once identified, the negative statements can be released in several ways, such as insight meditation, presence, breathwork or even bodywork.
Mary and David
twinoakscenter.com
I echo Mary and David's comments. Most of us have little idea of the real reasons we "fail" to follow through on commitments. Kristy and I love to help people find those deep inside places where old, outworn beliefs, fears, pains are hiding. What joy when such blockages are released and transformed into empowering new energy. Sometimes the commitment itself gets transformed to something more authentic. When this happens, keeping a commitment becomes who we are as if there is no other way. What a joy that is!
ReplyDeleteBarry and Kristine
www.ChooseConsciousLiving.com