“What is the New Year but the perfect place to live out what we learned in the old year?”

~ Craig D. Lounsbrough

With the Winter Solstice, Hanukkah, and Christmas behind us, 2020 is almost here.

How do you typically mark the new year? Do you cook a special meal for luck or prosperity? In the U.S., pork and sauerkraut are thought to bring good fortune, especially up north. In the south, black eyed peas, greens, and cornbread do the trick (peas for pennies, greens for dollars, and cornbread for gold, supposedly).

I love the variety of traditions and the various ways people celebrate New Year’s. Check out this fun list of rituals around the world.

Whether you stay in or go out to make merry this evening, have you thought about what you’re actually celebrating at the stroke of midnight other than the rollover of the calendar?

The passing of the previous year provides us with a natural transition and a good time to take stock.

Are you excited about the dawn of another decade?

Was it a good year for you, or are you happy to see 2019 go?

I’m intrigued by a Buddhist New Year’s Eve ceremony friends have attended in recent years at which they’re given time to reflect on the previous twelve months and to list all of the hurts, disappointments, and resentments they want to let go of. Once they ponder them, they burn the slips of paper on which they’re written to celebrate releasing the negative energy they hold.

I like the idea of thinking about what we want to leave behind so that we can start the new year fresh.

Beyond that, I think evaluating the past year in general to see how we did can be a helpful exercise.

How about you?

Did you accomplish what you wanted to—whether it was meeting goals, completing projects, or learning new skills?

Is there anything you’re especially proud of? (And have you taken the time to give yourself a proper attaboy or attagirl?)

For me, personally, I’m thrilled to have finally launched this blog. Although at times I got slowed down by the enormity of the task and the complexities of the development tool I used, I persevered. Your positive responses to it so far have let me know it was worth it. Thank you.

In addition to evaluating our achievements, we can also look at our personal growth to see if we’ve evolved to become more of the person we wanted to be during the past year.

Are you any wiser, more patient, more kind? More accepting of the ebb and flow of life?

After a turbulent few years due to some health issues and personal losses, friends have said that I seem to be more calm of late. I think that goes in the “win” category for me.

Thankfully, each new year, like each new day, gives us the opportunity to begin again. Not simply to try harder, but to get closer to the essence of who we are…our authentic selves.

Congratulations for all your hard work on yourself this year! I celebrate you.

May you have a peaceful, joyful, happy new year, filled with many blessings.

Affectionately,

Elaine