New Day, New Year, New Intention

As I sit here on January 1, 2021 I think about the 365 days that stretch out in front of us.  (Technically 364 seeing as we are on Day 1 already)  So much possibility and so many unknowns...and I feel excited and ready to be open to what lies ahead.

I am not one who likes to make new year's resolutions, instead I prefer to set an intention for the year, more of a guiding idea or principle to help me stay focused and on track for what I hope to achieve in the days and week ahead.  

On Wednesday night I attended my weekly Women's Coming Out Group zoom call, which I have been a part of since July 2020.  During the call we were reflecting on our successes and challenges of 2020 and what we were looking to achieve in the new year.  I didn't contribute much to the conversation this week, instead I sat quietly and listened.  And what struck me as I listened to these brave, vulnerable and courageous women was just how much wisdom is gained by listening to the stories and lived experiences of others.  Even after the call I found myself coming back to that idea of listening deeply to others and to ourselves for the knowledge, wisdom and truth that we all carry.  And that is when I decided that my word or intention for 2021 will be just that - Listen.

Not only listen, but listen deeply:

- to others

- to myself

- to intuition

- to what I want to hear and what I don't 

- to my truth

This may seem at first like a pretty easy intention...but I disagree.  Listening deeply and really taking in what you hear requires first that you come to a place where you can be still enough to actually hear the messages that are being given.  And then once you are still you also need to be open to actually taking in what you hear.  That is where the work lies, for me at least.  Ensuring I stay present in the moment, not too far ahead and not thinking about the past either.  Being in the moment and open to what it is showing me.  Allowing thoughts, feelings and knowledge to register, and have a home if even for a moment so I can decide if what I have heard resonates and is something I wish to act upon or carry with me for a spell.  Being open to the idea that some of what I hear may not be what I want to hear in that moment, but that it all deserves to be considered and given some space before I decide to hold onto it or let it go.

My hope for every one is that we find an intention to hold onto through the year ahead.  Something to help guide us even when the path ahead feels uncertain or unfamiliar.  Gentle bumpers to ensure that no matter what we are facing we will remain true to the direction that we have chosen and able to adjust to the many unknowns that will come our way.  May your new year be filled with much love, a sense of inner peace and the knowledge that we do hard things and are stronger for it.


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