As I am writing this article for Bellesprit, I am lounging under a comfy quilt and flannel sheets, listening to a bluesy version of Jingle Bell Rock as I rock my feet back and forth in time to the beat. It is 12/12/12 and I am feeling the energetic significance of the day as those in the circles in which I travel mark this day and the one fast approaching in 9 days as a time of rebirth and renewal, rather than cataclysmic chaos. I have noticed dramatic shifts in perspective, living each precious moment with as much awareness as I can when once upon a time I drifted through my days in somnambulant mode. I used to think that going with the flow, riding the waves and being ok with whatever happened was the pinnacle of spiritual existence. I have since learned that I have a responsibility to be as mindful and heart-full to overflowing as I can so as to fully engage with the events and people around me. I know I am responsible for feeding the common soup pot with as much flavor as I can, since it really is a collection of all that we each pour into it. How often do you find yourself placing attention on what is going on in the world and feeling powerless to resolve anything on a global scale? One of the bumper stickers on my Jeep proclaims: BEGIN WITHIN. When I do that, I feel more empowered to make positive change and in alignment literally with my Higher Power and plugged into my Source which never runs out.
By the time this issue of the magazine is in the hands of the wonderful readers, we will have crossed the threshold into 2013. Hard for this child of the 50’s-60’s to have imagined a time in the future when we would be communicating via cyberspace with people all around the planet, so that the borders and boundaries feel like they are melting away. On a personal level, ‘she’ could not have conceived of the life ‘I’ am now living, opening the gifts of writing, healing and teaching and sharing them with the world. It would have felt like science fiction which was one of my favorite genres back then.
As I mentioned in the December article about the concept of family of choice, I engage in a regular practice of honoring those folks who weren’t in my life when the previous year began. I am grateful that they have danced through the curtain into this New Year with me; even if they are no longer in body. I also set intention for what I choose to create in the next 12 months. Many people refer to them as New Year’s resolutions. I much prefer thinking of them as re-soul-utions. It feels to me literally like a soul renewal, a restart and a way of creating new solutions to previous concerns. I use them as a springboard so that in a year from now, I can gaze backward and see how far I have come. So many times, when I have felt that sense of ‘not enough-ness’ come hammering at my door, I can answer with a certainty that indeed I have accomplished a lot. Some days I get through my check list and on others, the tasks lop over, like floppy bunny ears, into the next 24 hours. This former laissez faire cosmic foo- foo flower child has morphed into a get it done conscious entrepreneur with an activity level that has her friends expressing that they are tired just hearing about all she does. Can I get an “Amen, sistah!” on that one?
I know that many who are turning these pages have lives that look like mine. I call myself a professional hyphenate since I am a writer-speaker-social worker-therapist-educator-minister-clown-mom-sister-friend-lover-marketing pro-life coach….and the resume is steadily growing as life unfolds magically and I accept the invitation of the Celestial Employment Agency to fill other roles.
I also differentiate between resolutions which feel cold and hard and intentions that feel warm and fuzzy, but are no less powerful. When I think about resolving to do something, I can feel my brow furrowing and lips puckering; not to kiss, more like sucking on a lemon. When I set intention, I am scattering seeds out there in fertile soil, to grow into riotously magnificent wild flowers. Keep in mind that putting legs under my desires is an essential component of seeing them come to fruition. Action steps are necessary. Imagine building a wall. You can’t start putting the bricks together midway. You need to begin with a foundation on which to build and it is impossible to construct a level surface on rock and rubble, so it is vital to clear the space. That may look like hurling and hauling debris and detritus from your past; all of those smarmy, slimy grab you by the ankles and pull you into the swamp thoughts of lack and limitation. Many are the days that I have had to kick the tentacles off of my ankles, lest I be submersed in the depths.
Each morning, I set the same intention, to “have extraordinary experiences and connect with amazing people,” and each day I do. From there, I add on the irreplaceable attitude of gratitude. I love this quote by Dr. John Demartini and use it often: “Whatever I think about and thank about, I bring about.” I compile my ‘thank you in advance’ list for all manner of miracles in the realms of relationships, money, health, belongings, opportunity to do my right livelihood work in the world, Seva (Sanskrit for ‘service’) as well as the energy to do all I set out to experience. I then sprinkle on a dash of delight with whatever shows up; adapting to, if need be, anything that feels out of sorts or out of alignment with what I think, in my infinite wisdom ‘should be’ a certain way. I have friends who refer to me as “The queen of reframe,” since I have become adept at seeing things in a different light; finding the pony in the manure, as it were. I journal about my goals, create vision boards that illustrate my dreams and desires, I state out loud what it is that I wish to see, in the presence of accountability partners who will hold me to my word. I maintain the mindset of a visionary who sees things coming to be even before they are in physical, palpable here and now form. When I am doing my ‘playouts’ at the gym, I move toward them on the elliptical and imagine that I am fueling my future with the dynamic energy I am generating on the machines.
The words “I AM” are irrefutably powerful, particularly since they were said to be those that God from the burning bush uttered when Moses asked who it was that sent him with a message to his people. Anything that follows them is as if being uttered by the Divine. They are also present tense in orientation, since when you say them; you are acknowledging that is who you are and what you are NOW.
Since we are multi-sensory beings, it helps to see, hear, feel, smell and taste what it is we wish to bring about. In this next year, I boldly declare that I am enjoying vibrant good health, radiant energy, attracting and sharing love in all forms, including my Life Partner with whom I teach and travel, growing a healthy relationship together, financial abundance, serving with my gifts and talents, publishing my next book, as well as the patience to trust in Divine Timing.
So, how will you re-soul yourself in 2013?
