New Year Blessings

Happy New Year to you.

Even though 2017 brought tremendous difficulty in the world at large, overall it was a good year for me. I did some cool things, wrote a bunch, went to New Mexico. It was also challenging and frustrating and full of change. Many things I had hoped would come to my definition of fruition did not.

It is what it is.

In year’s past, I’ve written about and set an intention rather than a resolution. In yoga we call this a sankalpa – a word or small phrase in the present tense that represents where we want to go or what we want to cultivate. The past few years have brought so much upheaval I didn’t bother with anything more intentional than courage. And that has served me well.

I hadn’t planned on designating a new sankulpa for this year either, but as I was lying down for a little rest the world community sprung to my awareness. For the first time my sankalpa is focused outward, not inward. I don’t know what community is asking of me, but I do know enough to let it be, and open to what this energy wants to create through me.

If you’re into the idea of setting an intention all you need to do is take a few moments to breathe, reflect, and listen. You could take a walk, read something sacred to you, and journal. Or not. Just be on the look-out for what shimmers. Finding an intention is more about receptivity than focus.

If you want a little guidance, I suggest Christine Valters Paintner’s free Give Me a Word retreat. You need to sign up for her newsletter. (Which I format and send each week.) I know you’ll enjoy the wisdom she has to offer.

Finally, I’d like to leave you with this upbeat little blessing from one of my favorite authors, Neil Gaiman.

May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful. And don’t forget to make some art – write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.

With love,

Melinda

 

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Photo by Mario Purisic on Unsplash