“Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.” ~ Hall Borland
At the stroke of midnight on December 31, we designate a time for change and belief in new opportunities. A crystal ball is dropped in Times Square. Bells are rung. Corks are popped as toasts are made. Kisses and hugs abound as shouts of “Happy New Year!” are exclaimed. We let go of the year that has passed and file it into history. But before we let it go, we judge it. We may deem it to have been a “good” year because “good” things happened. Or we decide that it was a “bad” year and we are glad to see it go. We base our decisions on the events we experienced and how those events are affecting our lives right now. Our expectations, memories and perceptions tell us how to judge. They also influence how we will view the year to come. Our past thoughts and actions create our future.
The beginning of a new year is a very optimistic time of year. We accept the possibility of a new start. It’s the first day of school, the first day at a new job, a first date. We accept that anything can happen and we are eager to begin. We tell ourselves that this year we will find the love of our life; lose all our excess weight; stop all destructive habits and win the lottery! This year, we will be happy! This year will be a great year!!!
The truth is, we can set the intention to do this any time that we choose. We don’t need an arbitrary date to give ourselves permission to make a change or do something better. We can decide at any time to create a life of joy and abundance. When we enter into a place of silence and go within, we are able to receive the guidance we need. We can make decisions about how we really want to live our life. Ask yourself, “What makes me happy?” “What will make me happy today?” “What are my gifts and how shall I use them?” Then follow your heart. When you understand the answers, you will truly create the life you want to be living every day.
Since today is the first day of the rest of your life and there is no need to check a calendar to know that, I’d like to join with Neil Gaiman in making this wish for you…“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re Doing Something. So that’s my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody’s ever made before. Don’t freeze, don’t stop, don’t worry that it isn’t good enough, or it isn’t perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life. Whatever it is you’re scared of doing, Do it. Make your mistakes, next year and forever.”