It seems that each year about this time, there are those of us who are making resolutions and taking stock of the many blessings that we have received over the past year. all too often I hear the sentiment, "Good riddance" to the old year and hopes for something better in the coming cycle of the seasons. I have had some experiences over the course of my nearly fifty years that led me to forsake the whole process of making resolutions, not so much because I would break them soon after the first of January, but rather because the changes that I seek to make are of lifelong importance and require lifelong commitment. after half (or more) of a lifetime, it would be nonsensical to expect the willpower to change any single aspect of my "self" just because I happen to change my calendar that day.
The spiral dance that we all participate stretches out beyond days, beyond years, beyond generations.
Although the best intentions inspire most New Year's resolutions, What bothered me most about them is the self chastisement and self loathing that is inspired each time we stumble, trip or fall along our intended path. Granted, some habits, vices or life ways do need to be changed, but to wait for this particular holiday to change seems to me, to be too much to ask. Even those exhibiting the most willpower will concede, an occasional slip up can not only be expected, but relied on. Being raised by cynical folks, my own life has been a struggle to see the good. Not just for the first few weeks of each new year, but each and every day, for life. Even some conspiracies are, after all, hatched and implemented by people who care, want to change the world for the better and strongly believe in their twisted way that they are in the right. Those who foisted prohibition on The United States of America believed that they were doing so out of a concern for the very moral fiber of our nation. What our ideals often lead to are ultimately hidden paths to some other dead end. Many forsake alcohol, only to be caught in the snare of organized religion, needing their fix just as regularly as the drink which they relied on in the past. I have met dozens of folks who quit cigarettes only to get hooked on the patch, chew or nicotine gum. not part of their resolutions I assure you. Loving one self, regardless of our failings is hard enough without finding ways to undermine that love further by casting our image of who we are as failures, or "weak". After all, don't we get enough of that from outside forces anyway?
It is a well known fact that many take traumatic events as wake up calls to get their houses in order. Other than the typical amateur night mistakes that haunt many a new year's party, getting falling down drunk or acting silly can't be classified in the same realm as a heart attack or death of a loved one. to make lasting change, we need to be motivated from a place deeper than the specific day of the year that is known for change. No matter what anyone says, who we are, or have become is based on years, if not decades of behaviors. Changing anything about ourselves in a moment that bears a legacy of time spent cultivating said behavior may work on the rare occasion, but aside from this, we are setting ourselves up for disappointment. I do not wish anyone significant tragedy, rather the joy of knowing that it is okay to fail. Even failing repeatedly to "do the right thing" can be fine, as long as we do not lose sight of the ultimate goal or write our selves off as hopeless cases. What changed for me was the finite nature of my New Year's experiences. My own beliefs led me to see each morning as a rebirth into opportunity to become someone more deserving of the endless miracles that present themselves to me, to act in ways that more appropriately reflect my heart, my spirit and my dreams.
I really appreciate the fact that my writings are read around this great planet. Those who care enough to pay attention must surely find something in my words that resonate with them, otherwise they would never come back to "see" what I'm thinking. Over a year ago I made the commitment to try to write seven posts per month. I figured that it was a bit more than I thought I could do, but as they say, anything worth doing is never easy. My resolutions tend to be made throughout the year and it seems to do the opposite of what I first expected. When I gave up on the New Years resolutions, prevailing "wisdom" and my own expectations were that whatever resolutions I made, say on June 23rd or September 7th would fail regardless of the willpower that I brought to the table. Not so! I still have my hiccups along the way, stumble, trip or fall. I still find that many of the new paths that I try to forge ahead along are just hidden blind alleys, some lead to other less desirable places or to new entanglements but the trying often leads to greater perspective, deeper insight and new growth.
There are times for resting on our laurels, but late in 2011 probably is not the best time for that. With foment breaking out across the planet, the time has come to redouble our efforts to change the planet in positive ways, kick out those who have become complacent, corrupt and cynical about change. The worst reasons to stagnate are that we have been telling ourselves that we don't deserve better, we just can't or that there is nothing we can do that will implement meaningful change. I invite the New Year with open arms and great plans. may you all find the power to keep your resolutions and that they in turn lead you to a more accurate reflection of your heart, your spirit and your beliefs. If we all work together, we truly can make positive change across the globe. Bless you, your loved ones and may the power to make positive changes in your own lives and those of others that you care about be yours this day and forever more.
Namaste'
The spiral dance that we all participate stretches out beyond days, beyond years, beyond generations.
Although the best intentions inspire most New Year's resolutions, What bothered me most about them is the self chastisement and self loathing that is inspired each time we stumble, trip or fall along our intended path. Granted, some habits, vices or life ways do need to be changed, but to wait for this particular holiday to change seems to me, to be too much to ask. Even those exhibiting the most willpower will concede, an occasional slip up can not only be expected, but relied on. Being raised by cynical folks, my own life has been a struggle to see the good. Not just for the first few weeks of each new year, but each and every day, for life. Even some conspiracies are, after all, hatched and implemented by people who care, want to change the world for the better and strongly believe in their twisted way that they are in the right. Those who foisted prohibition on The United States of America believed that they were doing so out of a concern for the very moral fiber of our nation. What our ideals often lead to are ultimately hidden paths to some other dead end. Many forsake alcohol, only to be caught in the snare of organized religion, needing their fix just as regularly as the drink which they relied on in the past. I have met dozens of folks who quit cigarettes only to get hooked on the patch, chew or nicotine gum. not part of their resolutions I assure you. Loving one self, regardless of our failings is hard enough without finding ways to undermine that love further by casting our image of who we are as failures, or "weak". After all, don't we get enough of that from outside forces anyway?
It is a well known fact that many take traumatic events as wake up calls to get their houses in order. Other than the typical amateur night mistakes that haunt many a new year's party, getting falling down drunk or acting silly can't be classified in the same realm as a heart attack or death of a loved one. to make lasting change, we need to be motivated from a place deeper than the specific day of the year that is known for change. No matter what anyone says, who we are, or have become is based on years, if not decades of behaviors. Changing anything about ourselves in a moment that bears a legacy of time spent cultivating said behavior may work on the rare occasion, but aside from this, we are setting ourselves up for disappointment. I do not wish anyone significant tragedy, rather the joy of knowing that it is okay to fail. Even failing repeatedly to "do the right thing" can be fine, as long as we do not lose sight of the ultimate goal or write our selves off as hopeless cases. What changed for me was the finite nature of my New Year's experiences. My own beliefs led me to see each morning as a rebirth into opportunity to become someone more deserving of the endless miracles that present themselves to me, to act in ways that more appropriately reflect my heart, my spirit and my dreams.
I really appreciate the fact that my writings are read around this great planet. Those who care enough to pay attention must surely find something in my words that resonate with them, otherwise they would never come back to "see" what I'm thinking. Over a year ago I made the commitment to try to write seven posts per month. I figured that it was a bit more than I thought I could do, but as they say, anything worth doing is never easy. My resolutions tend to be made throughout the year and it seems to do the opposite of what I first expected. When I gave up on the New Years resolutions, prevailing "wisdom" and my own expectations were that whatever resolutions I made, say on June 23rd or September 7th would fail regardless of the willpower that I brought to the table. Not so! I still have my hiccups along the way, stumble, trip or fall. I still find that many of the new paths that I try to forge ahead along are just hidden blind alleys, some lead to other less desirable places or to new entanglements but the trying often leads to greater perspective, deeper insight and new growth.
There are times for resting on our laurels, but late in 2011 probably is not the best time for that. With foment breaking out across the planet, the time has come to redouble our efforts to change the planet in positive ways, kick out those who have become complacent, corrupt and cynical about change. The worst reasons to stagnate are that we have been telling ourselves that we don't deserve better, we just can't or that there is nothing we can do that will implement meaningful change. I invite the New Year with open arms and great plans. may you all find the power to keep your resolutions and that they in turn lead you to a more accurate reflection of your heart, your spirit and your beliefs. If we all work together, we truly can make positive change across the globe. Bless you, your loved ones and may the power to make positive changes in your own lives and those of others that you care about be yours this day and forever more.
Namaste'
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