I have been walking around humming “it’s the most wonderful time of the year.” No I’m not just a procrastinator celebrating Christmas a week too late. In fact, I am not into carols or holiday preparations during the actual “season”. All the planning, baking, shopping and wrapping is just too stressful for me to get into the spirit. But the week AFTER Christmas – this is my favorite time of year.
The world has seemed to slow down this final week of 2010. Although some may see it as a bit of a let-down from the holiday hustle and bustle, I choose to take this period to really ride the wave of love and togetherness that I gained from seeing family and friends. The Christmas memories are still fresh in my heart, but the stress is all but forgotten.
In addition, the promise of the coming new year is really exciting. It is a new beginning ripe with possibilities. This year I continue work on my Master’s degree with The Graduate Institute, and the opportunity for personal growth I feel is tremendous. Learning in a community setting with equally-passionate individuals is more rewarding than I could ever imagine. Likewise, there are so many exciting new business ideas swimming in my head – writing a book, starting a new Web site, teaching others how to set up a blog – these are all goals that I know are in reach if I put my mind to them.
But, if education or new business ideas aren’t really your thing – you can still run headlong into 2011 with exciting plans. Here are some suggestions that I’ve come across recently to help you make that a reality:
- Begin keeping a journal of your daily thoughts and aspirations.
- Use guided meditation or tapping to uncover any personal roadblocks and help motivate your mind to the positive. Here is an audio guide to help you along: http://www.thetappingsolution.com/blog/all-snowed-in/ (click the audio file in the middle of the page)
- On a plain piece of paper write a letter to 2010 saying good-bye to any of the problems, stresses, or losses that you’ve experienced. When your done burn it, or simply tear it into little pieces and finally let all those burdens go!
- In contrast, on your prettiest stationary, write a letter welcoming 2011 and all the potentials it holds. Note what you are looking forward to in the coming year and what you plan to achieve. Put the letter in a safe spot. Later in the year, consult the letter to see if you are on track, or save the letter to read it next year when another New Year rolls around.
- Take some time to write down everything you are grateful for this year. We all have endless small blessings that we overlook, and this is a good time to really take inventory.
If 2010 may not have been your best year – remember that a new year is right around the corner. And, if 2010 was an amazing year for you – rejoice, because things can always get better!
I end with this quote that came from an e-mail announcing The Graduate Institutes Find Your Right Work Program (which I highly recommend):
“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language. And next year’s words await another voice.” T.S. Elliot, “Little Gidding”
May you find your fresh new voice, and embrace this powerful new beginning so that this New Year can be your most wonderful time of the year – all year long.