A new year is here, and as John Lennon said, “You’re another year older – and what have you done?” It’s a good time to reflect on that question.

What did you want to accomplish in 2005 that you didn’t? What do you want to accomplish in 2006? What do you want to leave behind in 2005 that will help you reach your goals in 2006?

Historically, the “new year” has been celebrated fairly consistently at three different times in the calendar. Around 2000 BC, it was celebrated around mid-March, when the ground was thawing, new growth was budding, and the windows were opened for fresh air for the first time in months. I love all of that symbolism. That’s what we have to do for our souls: thaw out, begin new things, and open ourselves up for fresh air.

Then, in the great ancient Egyptian times, the new year was celebrated around the first of September: when the playfulness associated with summer was over and it was time to get back to work. In later centuries, this time was when children went back to school, harvesting began in earnest, and preparation for the long winter ahead got into full swing. Again, what wonderful symbolism for the new year; what important lessons for us to think about this January, 2006. The playfulness associated with the holidays is now over, and it’s time to get back to work. For the reality is, if we want to accomplish some “newness” in 2006, it’s going to take work.

Finally, around 150 BC, our current calendar was first introduced (though it took about 1700 years to solidify!), celebrating the New Year on January 1st, shortly after the winter solstice. The winter solstice is the time when the angle of the earth in relation to the sun produces the longest night of the year. After the solstice, the daylight begins to lengthen – a little bit each day until it reaches its peak at the summer solstice in June. The summer solstice, of course, is the day with the most daylight. And so the annual cycle of the light/darkness goes. The “new year,” therefore, is coinciding with more and more light coming to us each day. How powerful is that symbolism, too! We need to “turn on the light” in our souls: see how and where we need to grow this 2006.

Because you are another year older and what have you done? What do you need to leave behind to get to where you want to go?

Sometimes it’s leaving behind people. Sometimes it’s leaving behind denial (that it’s not that bad, that things will change, that life is infinite and so it’s okay if I don’t take action, that I really don’t have an addiction, etc.). It is almost always leaving behind fear.

I challenge you to look at the fears that have been keeping you stuck – maybe even keeping you stuck for years – and to leave them behind in 2005. Fear of not being good enough. Fear of people finding you out – the secrets you have been keeping. Fear of rejection. Fear of being alone. Fear of tomorrow. Fear of the unknown. Fear of messing up. I challenge you to LEAVE THESE FEARS BEHIND IN 2005. If you didn’t have them, how would you be living your life differently? What would you be going after? A new job, a new lifestyle, a new partner – a new life?

This is where you must get clear on what you want. What are your intentions for 2006? “Intentions” is a great and powerful word. It’s not wimpy like, “I’ll try,” or “I want to,” or “I hope to.” It’s got chutzpa. I’ve personally found that adding the phrases, “So be it; it is done,” at the end of my stated intentions, also adds power to my “new year beginnings.” Here are some examples:

I intend to walk in integrity in 2006. So be it. It is done.
I intend to leave behind my denial in 2005. So be it. It is done.
I intend to live a life free of anger in 2006. So be it. It is done.
I intend to live a life filled with love in 2006. Or, I intend to structure my life in such a way that I am loved and I am able to love. So be it. It is done.

You get the idea. Write down what you are leaving behind in 2005 – and then burn it. Write down what you intend in 2006 – and read it daily.

Because, of course, you’re another year older and what have you done? Life is clicking by – right now. Get to it – it’s time to work.

With love and best regards,
Patti