There are certain times in our lives when we feel we have a fresh start. Some are individual events, like births, deaths, or divorces. Some are cyclical. Birthdays. Holidays that help us reset spiritually, like Yom Kippur. Naturally occuring phases, like the cycles of the moon. Or days that mark a new time period, such as…wait for it…the New Year.
What we make of these moments is up to us, of course. Are you ready for something new? Are you looking for an internal or external shift? Or are you mostly trying to hold on and keep your balance as the earth seems to be shifting underneath you, trying to catch your breath before the next big change catches you by surprise?
I’m not a big fan of trying to change all the things about myself I’d like to in one fell swoop. Or in making huge resolutions that once broken leave me feeling bleak. Darn, I didn’t get to the gym 5 times this week (or the week before, actually). Oh well, there’s always next year.
I think the gentle approach is more effective. How can you care for yourself better in this moment? The year is made up of over 500,000 minutes. That’s a lot of opportunites to think a new thought, or begin a new action that changes a pattern in your life. A second is all it takes to change a pattern, so you have over 31 million opportunities to alter the course of your life this year. Whether it’s one of the classics, like making healthy food choices or starting to exercise, or a more unusual resolution, like starting a gratitude practice or becoming more connected with nature, seconds count.
Each moment we occupy is an opportunity for a fresh start. While we can appreciate and work with the collective power of holidays and marked cycles, remember that you are in charge of how you handle each of your 31 million seconds this year. Be good to yourself and those around you.
Wishing you a safe and peaceful New Year,
Mara
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