Did you make any New Year’s Resolutions?

Do you have any New Year’s Eve traditions?

When I was younger, it was cool to go to a big party, or give a big party. So I did that.

Then the kids came along, and it got harder to party to the wee hours, so we settled for smaller parties.

Now the kids are not kids anymore, they’re out on their own, making their own traditions, but I find it still hard to party all night. So my husband and I stay home most of the time, have a good meal, watch celebrations from around the world on TV, and often fall asleep on the sofa. One of us might snore.

One thing I’ve always enjoyed though is write in my journal. Make lists, observations, plans, whatever comes up on an evening like this one.

There were times when deep into the month of December, I used to think of “resolutions” for the next year. Lose weight /get fit were usually at the top of the list. Most years, I didn’t follow through with any of the resolutions. I don’t know anyone who did.

 

Then there was a period when the word “resolutions” was offensive to me, so I substituted it with “intentions”. It didn’t make any difference because in my head, they were the same exact thing. I resolve to exercise, I intend to exercise, I plan to exercise, yadda yadda yadda.

 

This year, I want to go backwards for a few minutes, look at 2013, and maybe that will give me a better idea of how to approach 2014.

 

 

 

The questions I want to ask myself are: What did I learn in 2013, even maybe what did I accomplish, that makes me content and fulfilled right now. What did I learn about myself, others, our universe.

 

What a wonderful year it’s been in that respect. I have too many answers to those questions but I will share a few, in no particular order.

1. I learned that happiness is not something you pursue.

So stop chasing after it, groping, grasping at it. Be still, ask for what you want, take some steps towards it, then let go and watch it come to you.

 

2. I learned that life is love.

Let it flow. It’s a fountain of love deep inside you and me. When we look out at the world through that, everything we see is colored in love.

 

3. I learned that I am unique yet the same as everyone else.

A unique representation of the whole. I don’t have to agree with others, condone their actions, or hang out with them, but I can accept them as parts of me and part of the whole.

 

4. I learned that there’s no such thing as perfection. Or maybe just the opposite, it’s all perfection.

Love yourself as you are.

 

5. I learned that there’s a source for guidance inside me and I can access it anytime, anywhere.

It’s like finding gold! Everyone has the same source inside them. We’re all rich! Quiet your mind and you’ll hear the guidance.

 

6.  I learned to “allow”.

Allow the present moment to be what it is.  Allow my feelings to be what they are. Allow others to be who they are. Allow myself to be who I am. Allow.

 

7. I learned many of the answers are in Nature.

I will plan for more of its wisdom for 2014.

 

8. Bonus. I learned that squirrels will be squirrels.

I might as well try to befriend them, or learn to ignore them.

 

So here’s to 2014!  I plan to build on what I learned in 2013 and follow those hot tracks. Here’s to love, compassion, friends and simple joys.

 

How about you?

I’d love to hear your New Year’s thoughts.