It’s a brand new year, and a brand new you (as trumpeted to me by a big-brand advertiser)…..
…new year’s resolutions…..changing/stopping/giving-things-up/starting-things….
Does this fill you with enthusiasm or horror?
Sometimes the beginning of a brand new year can be overwhelming, with an assault on every aspect of our lives to reform – change – start – stop – do – don’t do – and with new regimes coming at us from all directions.
This photo is of our beloved three legged cat, who often keeps me company when I write. Sometimes, as evidenced here, it all just gets too much for her. 
Now don’t get me wrong, I like change.
I promote and facilitate new structures that support growth and balance in life, I work to help others develop practices that encourage restoration and self-care, and challenge myself to do the same.
But today, at the start of this brand new year, I am not ready for any of that – I simply want to live today
simply
quietly
thankfully
aware of what grounds me now.
The last few weeks have been a brutal juxtaposition of joyful festivities and heart-wrenching tragedies from various parts of the world. Sometimes it is hard to even watch the news, let alone try and enter in some way into the grief, injustice, horrors around us.
I am sure that you know someone who is going through a tough time; or it might be you or your family. None of us is immune, and it can help to keep a realistic perspective on life. It is unlikely that any of us will go through life unscathed – whether that is inconveniences, traffic offences or accidents, illness, financial pressures. There is a lot to be said for accepting what is, rather than railing against any perceived injustice of what is happening. That does not make any of it easy or right, and it is important to acknowledge all the emotions swirling around and let them pass.
Rather than asking “Why me?”…
…instead I am learning to ask “What now?” This has happened, so what CAN I do?
What am I grateful for, even in the midst of what might be going on?
What is necessary TODAY? It can be all-too-easy to get caught up in future-worry, going round in circles anticipating or trying to plan for what is both unknown and out of our control.
Today…this week…I want to focus on what really matters to me now, what I have that I can use to encourage others, to be present to this moment and not rush, not yet rush, to change things.
Why not start this brand new year with a TO BE list?
A TO BE list rather allows you to focus more on how you want to feel that day, and is less overwhelming than a huge list of tasks. Today, my TO BE list is simply to be present, to be grateful and to be realistic. This feels better than simply getting stuck straight into a TO DO list this January.
A happy and reflective new year to you.
