Ahhh, there is nothing like staring at a blank screen (or a blank journal page).
This fills me with happiness and ignites the part of me that LOVES a fresh start and is refueled by the promise of possibility!
As we begin 2023, your social media feed or inbox may be full of quotes and articles about creating a new year’s resolution. I agree that turning the page on a new calendar year presents us an opportunity to hit the refresh button on our lives. To reflect on what worked and didn’t work as well this past year. Once we know this, we can refine and redirect our habits or behaviors to create and invite what we want more of into our lives.
Most of us entertain new goals or “resolutions” at the start of a new year – but quite honestly – imagine how much more enjoyable our life would be if, with each sunrise of a new day, we looked at the new day ahead as a unique opportunity – a fresh start to begin again.
“No matter how hard the past is, you can always begin again.” Buddha
I often wake up before sunrise and sip my coffee as I watch the sky change. This is such a special time for me. The first sight of a pink glow beginning to peek out from behind the hills across the lake where I live is – to me — a silent prayer of promise for the new day. I watch and sip as the light grows slowly into golden sunbeams reaching across the sky. This sight never fails to fill me with joy and reignite my commitment to new habits, goals, or the day ahead.
“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
One way we can begin to focus on what we want is to try this brainstorming exercise I often invite my client to do. It allows us not to focus or use our “will” to come up with our goals but to let what we want to come to our awareness without much “thinking.”
Take a few moments in your favorite chair or place of peace to brainstorm by completing these phrases and words without overthinking. Just let what comes come. Later you can review what you have written and circle the words that stand out.
In 2023, I will …..
Embrace…
Love…
Share…
Let go of…
Be more…
Take time to…
Learn…
Cultivate…
Release my fear of…
Why not do a quick brainstorm with one of the prompts and share it in the comments below? I’d love to hear what comes up for you!
After you’ve taken time to do this exercise, review the reflections that call to you most. Don’t just leave them as words on a page. Take some action, no matter how small. Perhaps these questions can help you come up with an action or two.
What change(s) would you like to make?
What stands in the way?
What is the first step you can take to start the ball rolling?
“Your heart knows the way. Run in that direction.” Rumi
That is all it takes. Listen to what has bubbled up and trust this is a positive thing to move towards. Then, it’s as simple as taking one step. One day — one moment – one choice at a time.
Happy New Year, my friends. May you greet each day with the promise of a fresh start.
In 2023 I will embrace ‘Good Fear’. (I’m cheating a little because I tend to choose a word or phrase for the year. ) But, it also means I will embrace the word throughout my year, in any situation. I think the important part, for me, is that my 20 yo self would apply the phrase differently. There’s a secondary point of interest in how I can cultivate good fear. It’s the stuff of change and stretching.
Thanks Susan! What does embracing “good fear’ mean to you? Does it mean acceptance? Not having anxiety around it? Welcoming it or letting it go more easily? I am going to embrace more Peace and quiet. Embrace doing nothing. Just being. I find that I’ve gravitated to “doing” after such a. busy summer -it’s like I don’t know how not just to be anymore
. So I want to embrace the peace and quiet of not doing anything …. : )