Reflections for a New Year
Welcoming, Grounding, Modifying, Aspiring
Happy New Year! Wishing you contentment, connection, and a sense of purpose in 2024. With the angst and grief many are experiencing in anticipation of how the year will unfold and the violent world conflicts perpetuating so much suffering, the year offers us ample challenges to finding equanimity and serenity. Here are three reflections to help meet the challenges.
"What do I welcome into 2024 that will provide long-lasting benefits to my life?"
"What practices do I have that sustain me, and do I want to modify them?"
"What concrete actions will make a difference in how I experience my day-to-day during the year?"
A fourth helpful question is: "What do I want to let go of in 2024?" However, I will focus this year on what I want to bring in. By placing energy in the affirmative and letting my actions flow from that, I find it easier to let go of habits and other things that do not add to my life.
It is useful to ask these questions directly rather than hypothetically. In other words, don't “think about” it; ask it as if you are sitting across from a loved one interested in the answer. Regard yourself as the best person to answer the question. We are our best wisdom guides. Listen to your response as if it matters. Our first response is often the best place to start!
Finally, it helps to limit our responses to just one or two so that we can better implement them.
If you find these questions helpful, please include your responses to the reflections in the comments section.
Big Picture Welcome in 2024
In 2024, I welcome more celebration and appreciation both for myself and others, and for the positive things happening in the world. I am no longer as perfectionistic as I was in my twenties and thirties. Yet, I don’t always pause to integrate or celebrate accomplishments; it's easier for me to do this with others' achievements. We are all fabulous in our unique ways, and we should celebrate ourselves. Likewise, the only way to keep working toward a better world is to stay aware of all that is beautiful about it.
Related to this big picture welcoming of celebration, I intend to dance more often, both by myself and with others. For example, I'm traveling to Italy for two weeks in the spring with my dear friend Eileen and I asked her if she wanted to have dance parties while there. She jumped at the opportunity and is already making playlists for the occasion.
For personal celebrations, I bought myself a record player and albums that make me want to dance. Something about the effort it takes to pick out a record and put it on a turntable brings a greater degree of presence and playfulness than when I am streaming on a device.
Practices that Sustain Me
(What, if anything, do I modify?)
My morning Zoom meditation with my friend Mark is a sustenance practice.
Scheduled Zoom conversations with friends and loved ones who don't live near me is another sustenance practice. Or old-fashioned telephone calls with friends who spend many hours online and find connecting over the phone a welcome change.
Daily walks in nature are another important practice of mine. I am fortunate to have ample options near my home, and these walks are integral to my creativity and well-being. Yet, walking two hours every day makes it increasingly challenging to fit in all that I have to do in a day.. I will modify how much I walk, a half hour less a few days a week. Still, walking will remain a central practice.
Concrete Aspirations to Enrich 2024
I will learn three easy, delicious, and healthy go-to meals that I’d be happy to serve to guests: One vegan, one vegetarian and one where meat accompanies rather than acts as the main event.
Related to this goal, I also want to cook more for others in a less complicated way, such as having more potlucks and focusing the gathering over and above the presentation.
Your reflections on any of these questions are welcome in the comments below!