A New Year, A New Chapter ... Right?

Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right. ~ Oprah Winfrey


At least, that's what New Years always seems to symbolize, right?

Why is that? Is it because the end of the year culturally, psychologically and historically bores reflection and this idea of promise? Is it because our minds always have to be looking backward or forward ... unless we're present?

Think about it, there's the "New Years resolution," there's the ball dropping, the countdown, the champagne and noise making, the traditional kiss. All of these things meant to signify the death of one year and beginning of another.

Honestly, in the last few years, I'd lost faith in that. I mean, it "felt" like a new chapter — at first, but then the same old patterns would sneak back ... or the same kinds of dysfunctions wearing new masks.

In fact, this quote sounds about right in that regard: Many people look forward to the new year for a new start on old habits.  ~  Unknown

The feeling of a "new chapter" was mainly a mental willing. And that was just the problem. I'd always wanted it to be so, but the wanting was just another way of resisting my life as it was right then and there. It was just another way of fighting against the tide rather than flowing with it.

I imagine many of us do this, not just around New Years, but all the time. Becoming aware of this has been one of the most empowering experiences of my life thus far. It truly DOES make this year different from the past.

You know the notion "the mind is a powerful thing." Well, the truth is, the mind is only as powerful as we allow it to be. It's the "Wizard of Oz" curtain. We are the man behind the curtain. We, as in, our spirits, our Inner Beings, Higher Selves, energy, souls ... whatever word works for you. And so, it's more than just about controlling our minds, the kinds of thoughts we have, the energy those thoughts produce and draw back in. It's about literally moving our minds aside and stepping around the curtain. That's when we truly feel a "new chapter" begin.

It's not about a checklist of resolutions. It's about embracing where we are right this second. Because right this second, we are exactly where we need to be. 

So, if we build up this next year the way our minds always yearn to — the year of salvation, of resolution, of hope, freedom, awesome, amazing things ... that just feeds the illusion. It's healthy to have goals, but one thing I heard recently is ... transformation is not a future event. It is a present activity. So the power of change is in the now. Because the fact of the matter is, change is inevitable. Whether we want it or not. But how we handle change and what KIND of change happens, much of that is within our power.

And knowing we have that kind of potential, is empowering ... not in an ego way, but a magical, freeing way.

This year, my "goal" will be graduating from Yoga teacher training. My "goal" will be to finally put all the pieces together I've assembled in the last few months and publish my book. None of those things will happen in some future place. They are happening right now, like puzzle pieces I'm putting into place. The key, though, is not to constantly fixate on the end picture ... it's to enjoy the feeling of each pieces as it falls into its slot.

So, as you all start your new year, don't stress about a checklist or fixate on a "better tomorrow" ... find that "new chapter" in every single moment of every single day.

And enjoy the feeling as each piece ... gently slips into place.

~C~