New Year's Day is not just another day. Though sometimes I wish it were. New Year's Day has a way of getting under my skin pushing up memories of the past years to the surface. New Year's Day feels like someone opens my front door, takes the rug off the floor and shakes it out the window of my being. Buried feelings, promises not kept, ideas that never made it to reality, words said, words not said, paths not taken...
As the emotional dust billows overhead I found myself contemplating what needs to be cleaned up and how to let go of things that don't need to be around anymore. And yes... of course, I swept a few things back under the rug.
The other evening I went for a meditative walk around our village, down the hill, under the moon, along the little road with the cold misty night air scented with pine and rosemary, my senses feeling the rush of goodness that nature brings. I listened to the sound of my feet on the path, to the night birds singing, and as I approached the center of the village I heard the church bells ring. Peaceful joy.
The dust cloud settled. The feelings of "New Year" paved evenly underfoot and the moon came out from behind the cloud. I unlocked the front door walked into our house and felt home.
I promise to not to swear.
I promise to put Christ before my actions and words.
I promise to not procrastinate.
I promise to travel more.
I promise to embrace all the imperfections in me and claim them my own.
I promise to say give affirmations and say I love you more.
I promise not to worry if I do not keep any of these promises after today.
My word for this year is "discipline" which I need considering I already swore three times.
What do you hope the New Year will bring?