I don’t know about you, but I’m not big on New Year’s Resolutions. I feel guilty before I even start. Besides – they have always tended to be the same – and too general to do much good. You know the ones: loose weight, make more money, exercise, have more private time…. These are all noble pursuits, but why not just say “Live a better life?”
Well, the problem with resolutions is one of specificity and the fact that they are usually grounded in something negative that we are trying to “make right.” Face it: you wouldn’t be making a resolution like “Loose 10 pounds” if you hadn’t eaten everything that wasn’t nailed down during the holidays. So that worthy thought is really supported by the frustration that you gained weight in the first place. It’s the same with things like make more money, etc. All are based in something that didn’t happen last year or something that did happen and we would like a magic pill to fix.
So my approach is a little different. And – yes – it’s grounded in Feng Shui, but for different reasons than you may have guessed. A lot of folks think of Feng Shui as a form of decorating or a somewhat esoteric practice that’s hard to apply to everyday living. While it’s true that a space that has been Feng Shui’d might feel like it’s been re-decorated, Feng Shui at it’s core is about transformation - using one’s environment as a blueprint. It involves getting clear about what you want in all of the major aspects of life.
Prior to a consultation, I ask my clients to be as specific as possible about their goals. Create the vision, stopping just short of the point where reach the point where intellect kicks in as says “No Way.” That heart’s desire, once fleshed out, is brought to the conscious level and then into the physical world through symbolism. How’s that? Well, Feng Shui has much to do with symbolism. The next step is to think about what might symbolize such a desire. That item is placed in the environment according to Feng Shui guidelines and every time the client sees the object it triggers on a conscious or subconscious level his memory of what he WANTS to happen.. In other words, it keeps his/her goals, intentions, wishes, desires) always close to the heart, lifts the spirits, creates a visual image and literally brings us closer to the event becoming real.
Now, in terms of thinking about what we would like to see in the coming year, what works for me is to break life into the nine natural aspects we see in the philosophy of this ancient practice. The life aspects are:
In setting resolutions, which are nothing more than our goals and intentions for the New Year, it helps to have these categories as a guide. As I said earlier, the concept of “be Happy, or Live a Better Life” is far too vague to really help us on our way toward that goal. Anyone who has ever worked with kids, project management or motivating groups knows that the simple admonition to “Do Better” isn’t work the breath it takes to utter the words. First it implies that someone isn’t doing such a great job and that is the death knell to motivating anyone. So having nine specific areas of life to focus on really helps in getting clear about what we would like to see evolve in each of these areas. Now, make your list and check it twice.
If you really get into this, here’s another thought. Do these for yourself in private, then – if you are part of a couple or a family - it can be an amazingly powerful process to sit down with your significant other and your children and talk about what you would like to see develop as a couple or a family in each of these areas. Write your thoughts down on a piece of paper, place them in an envelope (red is great because it’s symbolically powerful and it emphasizes the importance you place on the process). You can put them all together, stand in a circle (holding hands is nice) and say a prayer or a blessing over all of them.
In China and in other cultures, one practice to send these hopes and prayers into the heavens or the universe is to place these prayers or intentions in a metal container and burn them. The smoke that rises symbolizes the energy being released so that it can be returned to you in the form or your wishes being fulfilled. The New Year really does symbolize new opportunity and this is a lovely way to commemorate it.
Further, once you have written down your aspirations, give some thought to what object might be meaningful to act as a trigger. For example, if your wish is to increase your earnings in the coming year you might reflect on what making more money means to you. Does that translate into luxury, time to be with your family, safety, travel – what? If it means simply feeling well cared for, one woman I know chose a small tapestry purse that had memories of being well loved attached to it. When ever she saw that purse she felt cherished, protected, and was reminded that there is abundance in her world. Feng Shui books are full of suggestions for totems, crystals, etc. that are designed to increase abundance. Don’t go there unless something on that list really knock-your-socks-off. There are too many other more personal items that speak to you specifically. You needed’t buy anything. It can be a poem or affirmation you create and place with an attitude of mindfulness.
Ritual is a practice that is observed in every religion, community and tribe on the planet.
It is a way of bringing the interior quest into the physical world and honoring it. It’s powerful and it works. It’s not magic and it’s not superstition. It works at a very deep level and signals our commitment to our ideals. And once we are committed – all manner of things begin to conspire to help us reach our goals.
Happy New Year! May it bring forth the best in all of us!Resolve to Evolve
