Last week my son said to me: "Mommy when do we do our end of year writing piece.?" I was in shock-one he remembered - two he still wanted to write. So today - I am going to list a couple of different exercises that you may choose to do on the eve before the New Year. As a family, this is a ritual - at least between my husband and myself-and a new addition is our son. I invite you to do this with your family or if you prefer with someone you can trust. Write and read aloud- it will do you good! Here are a couple of exercises:
1. Imagine that it is December 31, 2014 and you are doing your year in review. What would you say? How would you write it? What events would you like to highlight? Is there a practice you would like to begin? What are you most proud of at the end of the year? List them even if it may appear trivial...Remember that that you are in the future. Now when you are done writing the list...make that your commitment for January 2nd onwards. Make it happen for yourself. And record your journey into it. Some prompts to help you get started. You can begin with
" A year ago today......
" The things that I am grateful for this year....
" Some milestones that I want to highlight this year.....
"I am most proud of....
2. Rachel Macy Stafford, Founder of Hands Free Mama had a wonderful post on her blog this week...about how so many of us can begin to look at the end of the year of the things that have been left undone - she quotes, " This is about the time your pants feel depressingly tight. This is about the time all your bad habits come to the forefront. This is about the time that every mistake is remembered with anguish....and you give permission to your inner critic to berate you." I ask you to look at your thoughts very carefully around the end of the year ..is it one of regret, critic, or is it one of positivity. And that is exactly what she suggests- Instead of succumbing to our inner bully, begin to look for the positives and notice the small steps that you have made this year to make your life happier and list them. After listing them, read it out loud and give yourself a pat on the back for that. It is a wonderful exercise because it helps you approach the coming year with hope and positivity.
3. I have card decks all over my house - angel cards, zen cards, The Four Agreements Cards- basically affirmation cards that help you set an intention for the day. If you have a card pack, I would recommend picking one and recording it for 12/31/13 and on January 1, 2014, pick another. Keep those affirmations with you as a simple reminder of the intentions that you have set for yourself everytime your inner critic pops up. And of course journal about it...
4. If you want to do a family activity with your children such as myself - I have them list 5 things that they are grateful for this year, five things they learned this year, and five things they want to learn going forward. They can list or write - whatever they choose. And have them read it out loud. It is very empowering for children to do that.
5. Last but not least, this is for those who want something a little bit more spiritual....A meditation to guide you followed by a journaling exercise:
-focus your breathing on your heart. If comfortable, put your hands to your heart and close your eyes. It is important that you are in a relaxed state, so breathing in and out is extremely important. Set an intention for yourself as you begin your meditation. It could be something as simple that "gratitude is my prayer." "I honor my body" or "I choose to be in the now." Whatever it is, keep that intention while still breathing. Let your heart guide you in this meditation and let your heart speak to you. You may choose to look at the year in review. You may just choose to focus on your breath. You may choose nothing. When you are ready, come back to yourself----and begin to write.
I wish each and every one of you a peaceful, love-filled, harmonious, beautiful, light-filled New Year!
And Don't forget to journal....
Happy Journaling!
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