From Scratch

I am a lover of celebrating the new year. I believe in rebirth, and the renewal that comes with it.  After Christmas festivities die down, I usually spend the last week donating, cleaning, decluttering, and smudging my physical surroundings. For the final time of the year, I sit down to burn my favorite sage and light my favorite candles to review and revive my vision board. Taking note of what has come to fruition and discarding what no longer serves me.  I’m all about ensuring my board is in alignment with my greatest life vision and has a plan of action. I have lofty goals. The evening of New Year’s Eve, before the shenanigans begin, I open the windows - just a tad- enough for fresh air to circulate and bring in new and positive vibes. I’m a midwest girl, I learned to embrace the cold long ago.

Every now and then I have a difficult year. 2018 was simply absurd.  A whirlwind of life changes, experiences, and emotions I never saw coming. I thank God for laughter, great friends, delicious meals, and affordable wine. Without those I probably wouldn’t have made it through what was 2018. It felt like I was being pulled back -- forced to start from scratch; but I’m not completely starting anew. Maybe I’m finally beginning to honor this burgeoning sense of awakening.  The last week of this year will be different. I’m no longer in my own space, and can’t practice what has become an annual ritual. I recently moved home and it’s been adjustment from being on my own. I’ve learned first-hand it’s fruitless trying to help those who refuse to help themselves. It’s unfair and selfish to expect someone else to do all the work for you. I cannot do someone else’s inner work, and neither can you. I can listen, provide advice when asked, and continue to dive inward. But it’s true, “faith without works is dead.”

I’ve learned over and over again, I cannot control someone else’s actions, but I can control my reactions and my choices. Instead of focusing on what I can’t do I’ll hold on to what I can. I’ll still cook a refreshing meal and savor it, light candles, invite a crisp breeze to enter my room, and meditate on familiar and new intentions for 2019. As usual I’m keeping them detailed yet simple. My advice, create intentions that will help you honor your best self. I will continue to dive inward, because growth. I believe for one to reach their greatest heights you have to accept a never-ending path, it will constantly evolve, but so will you.

Cheers to living victoriously!

Do you enjoy celebrating the new year or is it a bunch of rubbish? Share your thoughts or questions in the comments.