It's The Start Of A New Year
"Happy New Year to you all. May you all have a healthy and happy start to the new year!
Cheers! Lise"
I believe we humans have such an advantage over other species, we have the power to make changes in our lives every single day the minute we wake up. These changes may not immediately be locational, but they can be physical, mental, spiritual, relationship, family or career oriented. Right off the bat we can make the choice to see the glass half full, or the glass half empty. Now I know that is perhaps an old, cliche saying, but it is very true, and it is very powerful.
The start of a brand new year, with the calendar turning the page to bring in a fresh new 365 days, is also an opportunity for us all. It is a well-established societal view, that generally starts on January 1 of the calendar year (though noting that many cultures have their own established new year start dates), and, as a result so many of us often take a few moments to reassess and reevaluate our current life situation on or after New Year’s Day.
I, myself, often take some time in December, as I am still celebrating the holiday season, to think about some changes or plans I might like to make in the new year, (usually, after that series of holiday cheers sips and extra sweets that seem to be a major part of Christmastime in my world.)
The term, ‘ New Year’s Resolutions’, has somehow always brought a little fear into my consciousness, I think because of my own mindset about personal lack and the loss of some things in my life. I tend to cling to things, concepts, situations, with the nagging perception of fear, and most likely also the feeling of failure, but I have come to terms with that, and I have learned, for the most part, how to deal with it or work around it. Baby steps is my M.O., and that’s okay, because it is a way that is more achievable for me, and less scary in my mind.
Okay, so I did make some New Year’s Resolutions. Naturally, I made some that seem to resemble every year’s list, drink more water, walk more, watch the sweets, wine and certain foods. But I also made some really positive ones that excite me, some goals and plans that make me feel blessed to wake up every day and get started. I love that I made positive, achievable goals that I look forward to working on, and I might suggest you do, too.
Firstly, I think it is important to make achievable and realistic goals. Trying to set unrealistic expectations and goals is the best way to set yourself up for failure. Naturally, there may be some of you out there who basically are ‘jump right in and go for it people’, and I commend you for your courage and your tenacity to go for things head on. That is just not my style. I have to get myself into a mindset, make a plan, often revise it a bit, and then take baby steps to realistically go for it. This method works for me, you need to do what works for you. This is the perfect time of the year to think about it. And definitely make some positive goals. Just making the ones that say, you can’t do this, drink this, eat this, etc. are more likely to set you up for failure because they may not be perceived as positive, even though healthier lifestyle changes, are indeed, a positive thing. Add some fun resolutions into the mix. Why not take up that activity you have always thought of trying? Why not update your look, maybe restyle or cut your hair, for instance? Maybe you might want to try your hand at writing a book?
January is generally a time when I like to wind down, mentally, socially, and peacefully. It is a time when I take away all the bright colours and decorations of Christmas and the holiday season, and pare back to my white monochromatic living space (in most rooms) and quieter lifestyle. You will also find me wearing a lot of white, and remaining in my home, happy to be in a peaceful environment, often with less outer world stimulation. Of course, COVID has made so many decisions for us, remaining at home, not being out in the bar, at the club, playing cards, wandering through shops, all of that has been toned right down as we all try to work our way through this difficult time on our planet.
In my new part of the world, because I moved here several months ago, my new first cycle (first year) of living in a completely different place, with a dramatically different lifestyle, leaves me with daily learning how to adapt here. The snow on the ground, the orchard trees and the surrounding mountains, also read as fresh, peaceful and…well…white. I love it.
As for my writing, well, I bring my everyday life into my writing, and so this month you will see on my Blog, under the Category of I Write, some poems that I am writing or have written for the start of a new year. Up and published here now for you so far, are the poems, I Crave My Whites, and You Know It’s Time To Make Adjustments. I hope you enjoy them, maybe even identify with them.
Happy New Year to you all. May you all have a healthy and happy start to the new year!
Cheers! Lise
