Alert,  Curious,  Open,  Wondering

My goals for the New Year do not magically spring forth on New Year’s Eve or New Years’ Day.

Instead, in the first few weeks of January I wait, open and curious.  I am taking the pulse of the New Year; searching to find what resonates and feels true in my heart. I may gather quotes, articles or poems that just magically appear and jump out at me with excited energy. I almost always take long solo walks in Nature listening to what is being whispered by the air, the evergreens, the whole more than human world. I pay attention to my dreams looking for hints and patterns. Gradually the themes for my New Year settle and unfold before me. 

There are always questions along the way:
Who am I now? What does the next best version of myself look like? Are my 2021 goals complete? Are my goals keeping me on course to become who I say I want to be? 
“Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care for people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or ill.”                 ~ Buddha

The words we use can make or break us. (or someone else)  All our words. The words that form our intentions and goals, the words that make up stories we tell over and over and most especially the words we tell ourselves internally. 

 If you eavesdrop on yourself, what internal words or stories do you hear? Are you being kind to yourself? Or does that voice sound more like a bully than your biggest supporter? 

Listen closely to your internal dialog… if what you are hearing is not kind and supportive, use 2022 to make changes. Be kind to yourself. A little kindness every day will gradually toss out that internal bully.

This may be your next best step into wholeness.

Remember, no matter how long that bully has been hanging around, you do have the right to write a whole new story for yourself. 

So I ask:

Who are you now? and What does the next best version of you look like?

This is my prayer for you:

May you be open, alert and curious. May kindness increase in your thoughts and your words. May kindness fill your heart transforming all the old stories that no longer serve. May you be gently guided and accompanied to your next best self in 2022.

I’ll be watching for your Light and wrapping you in Kindness!

Many blessings for your New Year, Mary Alice
“The future is not some place we are going, but one we are creating. The paths are not to be found, but made. And the activity of making them changes both the maker and their destination.” ~ John Schaar