It’s wonderful to have a fresh starting place every year where you can pause and reflect before taking the next step forward.  Sometimes the new year begins with everything neatly and predictably laid out, but sometimes it’s the kind of beginning that feels like stepping off into the unknown.  However it presents itself, this new, fresh year is full of possibilities.  Here are a few things that I do to help myself powerfully and positively envision this new cycle:

Focus:  Begin by creating a space or time block to do some thinking/creative visioning.  I always feel the most productive and thoughtful curled up on a rug in front of the window with a pen and blank pieces of paper.  A new calendar or journal is helpful, as is a little space from my children so I can really pull my attention into this.

Ask:  I start out by asking myself, “What do I need?”  It might be practical things like some durable new socks, or something less tangible like self-care or space to be creative.  At this point, I jot down ideas that resonate with what I most desire.  The next question I ask myself is, “What do I want?”  This is for ideas that just sound fabulous, like diving into some new pursuit, or making some time to do something fun.  I write down everything that comes to mind, no matter how unlikely.  This might be easy, or it might be difficult.  Sometimes I have struggled for weeks or even years trying to figure out the answer to these two questions!

Envision:  This is the part where all the dreamy ideas are set down as real goals.  I go through each item on my list, and sit with each one, imagining this becoming a part of my life this year.  I really listen to how it feels when I imagine this.  Some of the things will leap out and feel like a “Yes!  This is exactly what I need!” and sometimes I will feel burdened and anxious about it, even if it is something I was really excited about.  If something that really seems important is also something that makes me feel anxious, I might put it on the bottom of my final list, as something I might not be ready for in the beginning of the year.  You might also find that things you thought you needed are actually wrong!  It could be that you want to find a new relationship, but what you really need is to focus on your relationship with yourself.  You have to listen to your gut feelings about it, and take the answer seriously.  There are so many troubles I have gotten myself into by ignoring this body-intuitive information!

Stepping Forward:  This is the practical part to making things happen, the link between dreams and making those dreams reality.  I now ask myself what do I need to do to make these things happen in my life?  Is there anything I need to change in order to obtain what I need and what I want?  This year I really, really need money and employment, and I am taking the opportunity to work on conquering my fears about stepping out into the world and earning money.  I am learning some new skills and taking some new approaches to things that have daunted me in the past.

Of course, one thing to remember is that life is full of surprises, and things often don’t happen exactly the way we want!  However, after many years of trying this approach, on reflecting on the years past, nearly everything I have really, truly needed or desired has appeared, but not usually how I thought it would work out.  It’s also important, for things that are heartfelt needs and desires, that even if the outcome seems very uncertain or impossible, you can still hold that vision in your heart.  Just holding space for dreams to come true is the first step to making it happen.

Wishing you a lovely New Year!!!  We have been at work in the kitchen baking our favorite New Year’s grain-free calamondin cake.