Debbie had a comment about the New Year’s Reflections.
If we reflect that mean’s we have to think right?
Just kidding I think this is such a great idea, because we alway’s make plan’s. But, if there in front of you in black & white. Some how that make’s them more realistic. I certainly think so. That way you can’t just forget them so easy and push them to the side. Thanks for the great idea’s and maybe I get things done this year, aside from the failure’s in the past years or so.
- Debbie R.
Thanks for trying out the reflections, Debbie - and thank you for sharing your comment!
When making life changes for ourselves with resolutions, we have a tendency to focus on what happened last year that we simply want fixed so we don’t have to deal with the same discomfort this year. It comes from a belief that the bad things that happened this year were the result of our level of “wrong-ness.”
So we take resolutions as the opportunity to correct our “wrong-ness,” and therefore, have a better new year.
My reflective approach to the new year involves some thinking, yes. But instead, you’re thinking about everything that went right last year. It does get easier to find these things after you’ve listed 5-10 items.
Writing it down or saying it aloud are powerful techniques, because like Debbie said: it’s right in front of us in black and white - and not just in our heads anymore. Engaging the body when we acknowledge a thought makes the thought “more real” - whether it’s a negative or a positive one.
So reflect on the positive: Say the positive, Hear the positive, Write and Read the positive. Do what’s positive!
We finish the first week of 2010 by setting its foundation with the gems of 2009.
Start this reflection with a little relaxation:
Then, grab a pen and a journal and take a listen to this New Year’s Reflection.
New Year’s Reflection #5: Lessons
Every year, we learn lessons that could only be taught by that gracioius teacher, Experience. Last year was no exception.
Take a deep breath, and complete the following reflection statement with whatever words and thoughts that come to mind:
In my experiences of the last year, I learned the following lessons:…
What have you learned/experienced so far with these New Year’s Reflections? You can find all the reflections here, with audios. Click here, if you’d like your own “New Year New You” reflection booklet to follow along.
Before we start reflecting, be sure to take a moment to relax first. Get your pen and paper (or journal) in front of you, and listen to the relaxation audio below.
Click the “Play”-button on the Cinch audio player below to begin your relaxation:
Now pick up your pen or pencil and listen to today’s reflection.
Today’s New Year’s Reflection: Decisions
Click the “Play”-button on the Cinch audio player below. The transcribed text is below the audio player.
There’s a lot that can be said about decisions. Some say there are good ones - and there are bad ones. But when we look back on a whole previous year of decisions, we realize that good and bad are kind of relative. Some of those “bad decisions” eventually lead up to some sweet outcomes, some kind of learning, or at the very least, some kind of adventure.
Take a few minutes to list the following:
In 2009, I made decisions that affected my life and the lives of others, in big and small ways. These are the decisions I’m glad I made - regardless of their immediate outcomes. I decided what I did at the time, because of what I believed or needed, because of what I wanted to accomplish, and because of what was important:
Share how these New Year’s Reflections have been working (or not!) for you by clicking here or emailing me at TheJPD@tumblr.com.
2009 never looked better, did it? This third reflection is my favorite!
Relax and prep for the reflection by getting out your pen or pencil and some paper (like the New Year New You Reflection Book or your own journal), and listen to the relaxation audio below.
Relaxation before reflecting… (Audio)
Today’s New Year’s Reflection: People
In the past year, different people have crossed your path - some new, some old, and some revisited. These are people you may have encountered in person, over the phone or in email or connected with through our amazing technologies today. You may even have blessed by encountering people in your dreams, in prayers, or in unexpected quiet moments alone.
Take a few minutes to complete today’s reflection statement:
Without these people being in my life, 2009 would have been more difficult and less joyous:
One of the “people” I encountered this year is a dog named Arianne, pictured above.
Find all the New Year’s Reflections by clicking here.
Relax and get prepped for today’s New Year’s Reflection.
Then listen to today’s reflection on how you’ve grown in 2009 by clicking the Play-button below. The text is transcribed below the player.
Today’s New Year’s Reflection: Growth
In 2009, you grew in different aspects of your life. Whether it was in mind, body, emotion, or spirit, because of what you’ve experienced in the past year, you understand yourself as greater in these things than you have been in years past.
Take 3 minutes to complete the following reflection statement:
To do the daily reflection, you’ll need a writing utensil and something to write on. (You can get your own New Year’s Reflection journaling booklet here. A piece of paper or your current journal will work too.)
Prepare for each set of reflections by relaxing with a few deep breaths. (I’ve provided some brief audio guidance on relaxing for the daily New Year’s Reflection here.)
Click on the ”Play”-button below to listen to today’s New Year’s Reflection. The audio is transcribed below the player.
Today’s New Year’s Reflection: Accomplishments
In the past year, you have accomplished many wonderful things. These are things that you put time and effort into, things that you have been working on, and tasks for which I done your part to the best of your abilities.
Now, complete the following reflection statement with whatever words come to mind:
My take on New Year’s resolutions is, well,…take a listen below:
Click the “Play”-button on the player below to hear my take on New Year’s resolutions:
Let me share with you my New Year’s ritual, which has proven to be a guilt-free and effective alternative to resolutions in my life. If you’d like, you can play along at home (with your own reflection book or any journal or paper you have around) and do the seven New Year’s reflections with me.
Do you have a guilt-free New Year’s practice that you’d like to share? Tell us about it here!
