New Year Resolutions, or lack of…..

Reading Keris Stainton’s blog gave me the idea for closing 2008 or Mondo Beyondo as the tradition goes!

I have some ideas about what I want to achieve in 2009, but I think closing 2008 is important for me as it was such a life-changing year. So here goes:

So the first thing you need to do is ask three questions:

1. What do you want to acknowledge yourself for in regard to 2008? (What did you create? What challenges did you face with courage and strength? What promises did you keep to yourself? What brave choices did you make? What are you proud of?)

Wow. In 2008 I became a Doctor of Philosophy and a Chartered Psychologist. I wrote two novels and six short stories. I wrote a lot of poems. I became Chief Executive of a large organisation. I attended lots of leadership seminars. I painted seven pictures in acrylic medium. My eldest grandson reached 13. I conquered my fears about myself and learned how to heal myself. Frankly I faced a lot in 2008 with courage and strength and I am really proud of myself. I finally began to consider myself an artist and writer.

2. What is there to grieve about 2008? (What was disappointing? What was scary? What was hard? What can you forgive yourself for?)

It was scary to finally realise that all my children were grown ups who made their own decisions! It was hard to face another year without seeing my son, but actually I did see him and knew he was OK. It was then hard to face the realisation that he didn’t want to see me. I was too hard on myself again in 2008. I didn’t see my brothers enough. I didn’t get to see my dad at all, although I did chat to him on MSN. I had a lot of thoughts about love and what it is and it was scary coming face to face with the answers. I focused my knowledge on quantum physics and that was really scary! I can forgive myself for never quite admitting how well I had done professionally in 2008!

3. What else do you need to say about the year to declare it complete?

It was difficult and a learning curve but 2008 equipped me well for the rest of my life and showed me that even the biggest problems can be accepted if mot conquered.

Okay, the next step is to say out loud, “I declare 2008 complete!” How do you feel? If you don’t feel quite right, there might be one more thing to say…

I declare 2008 complete!

The final step is to consider your primary focus for the year to come. What is your primary intention or theme for 2009? Is it the year of joy? The year of self-care? The year of partnership? Stand up and say it proud, “2009 is my year of….”

CREATIVITY, both material and cognitive

STRENGTH, COURAGE, PATIENCE, JOY, LOVE

After you list your intentions, let’s do the list that is truly Mondo Beyondo status. What are the things you are wanting to manifest that are almost too scary to even write down? The ones that elicit a gremlin response of “You can’t have that!” or “Who are you to ask for that?” or “Fat chance. That will never happen. You’re not a good enough….(fill in the blank)”
Are you nervous? You should be. This list should be a bit dangerous. It should make you feel a little shy and excited. Butterflies abound!

In an effort to better express my femininity that comes from inside me, I am going to let my hair grow!

I am going to get an agent for my book/stories/poems and get them published

I a going to relinquish the control that holds me and let myself run freely (a little!)

I am going to do the best job I can do

I am going to live the spiritual life that until now I have never been able to

I am going to look after myself, a concept that seems run-of-the-mill for most people but not for me due to the constant oppression I have had to endure

I am going to think about moving house (slowly!)

I will exercise every single day

I am going to walk amongst the people I work with as an equal with confidence and calmness

I am going to work on realising what an amazing person I am (people keep telling me and I keep proving it but somehow there is always that little niggle that its all just a fluke!)

I’m going to get a tattoo that says ‘Goddess’ somewhere I can see it to remind me!

And Mondo Beyondo-est of all…

I am going to rise above what I know full well are socially constructed illusions and try to see clearly. I have been thinking a lot about how I can use the knowledge I have gained, apart from writing academic papers and practising as a psychologist. Applying what I have learned, academically, practically and spiritually will hopefully help me fulfil this.This demands tolerance for other people, compassion and equanimity which I have in varying degrees; it will be difficult but it will make me happy.

Onwards and upwards into 2009……….

1 thought on “New Year Resolutions, or lack of…..”

  1. Well done for doing the list! I haven’t done mine yet. Best of luck with it all and for 2009 in general. 🙂

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