The first day of the year is always an intentional unscheduled day for me. Much of my day is spent in quiet, reflecting on the past year and thinking of what I expect from the New Year. I’ve done this as far back as 12 years old. At that time, I would retreat into my room to escape my brothers and chaos. My family always thought that I was being antisocial. But I was merely recognizing a significant transition: my own.
In keeping with this time-honored tradition and while my black-eyed peas are cooking, I remove my past year’s wall calendar that hangs visibly in our kitchen. Despite my computerized & synced devices, I still insist on the tangibility of a printed wall calendar. It mirrors my electronic version containing all of our shared reminders, impromptu events and notes that we make during the year. However, its beautiful artwork and visual symbolism provide grounding and mark the passage of time differently.
I ceremoniously unwrap my new wall calendar and carefully inscribe special dates and reminders from the past year’s calendar onto this new calendar. In doing this, it is a little like strolling through an abridged year, month-by-month. I recall and acknowledge those who passed away. I smile at the special gatherings, births, weddings, outings, and the little hugs from my loved ones.
The second part of this first day tradition is preparing my personal resolutions. I don’t mean resolutions as many people think of resolutions. Resolutions to me equate to personal life achievements, not things that I want to stop doing. My resolutions consist of things that I want to do, learn, be or accomplish in my year.
I sit with my book of past resolutions in front of me, reviewing and noting accomplishments in my life. I also peek at resolutions and past notes that I’ve made on years gone by. This is a very gratifying process because I can reflect on personal growth and challenges overcome throughout my year and life. I can see what is still important, what I no longer need or want and the direction my life took over the past year. This allows me to be conscious of what I feel is now important and what I need to draw to me. I do all of this without judgment or criticism of myself. I embrace the person I was during the year, my evolution and my transitions.
It is at this point that I begin to record my new resolutions in this special book. As I write each one down, I am reflecting on the positive impact that each resolution will have on my life, my work, and those people in my life. Once recorded, I feel prepared for the year. I have a sense of direction. I have a sense of accomplishment. I feel empowered and anticipatory. The year holds promise and I have greeted it in my own way. Then, I’m ready to eat my black-eyed peas to seal the intentions.
My wish for each one of you is to reflect on what is important for you and then create a fulfilling year ahead for yourself. Happy New Year, 2011.
