The time between Christmas and New Years is my absolute favorite.
I love that there is a dedicated time each year to reset. I love getting a new planner. I love a new workout routine. Intentions, resolutions, journaling, meditation, meal prep, supplements, hydration, skin care – I love it all. I love having a plan.
As New Years Eve approached this year, I got super excited for Yoga Girl‘s yearly intention setting practice. In preparation, I opened my journal and wrote down the 4 prompts:
HOME | In this area of my life I want…
MIND | In this area of my life I want…
BODY | In this area of my life I want…
SOUL | In this area of my life I want…
But then, something unexpected happened.
I had no idea what to write. And then the realization; I have no idea what I want.
As a New Year New Me repeat offender, this was quite frustrating. Even worse, I wasn’t really motivated to figure it out.
Later that week, I asked my Pilates class to pick a word that they could carry with them through 2023. I asked them to recall the word several times throughout class and offer up their energies towards it. But truth be told, I couldn’t think of a word for myself.
The only thought that kept coming back to me, was a mantra that I heard Ram Dass use. (I love his talks. You can find them on the podcast, Here and Now). The mantra is; Ta Tvam asi. It comes from an ancient Hindu text and the translation varies, but essentially, it is one’s connection with a Higher Self. I am That, You are That, That which is. Ram Dass often uses the phrase, “and That too.” This really resonates with me. It’s easy to be in the moment when the moment is fun. But what about the hard stuff? What about uncertainty?
I am adding a little video here so you can listen to his words and how he explains it.
I know this is a bit of a rambling post, and at this moment, I am still in flux. But the idea of being okay with this is something I have started to explore. I have been joking with myself that my intention is to not do anything. Just wait.
The first thing I have discovered, is that waiting is surprisingly productive. It gives you something to work with, and I am interested in this. Who knows what will come up? And that is kind of exciting.
Second, I am spending a lot more time listening. Shifting my focus away from a goal has freed up my attention. I have been noticing things. The most prevalent has been my energy. I am bringing more awareness to where I am placing my energy – and if it lines up with things that are important to me.
Finally, in full Ram Dass essence, I am showing myself compassion. We don’t have to have everything figured out all the time. We don’t have to be perfect everyday – and frankly it’s just not possible. Some days we do great things, some days we do crappy things. Some days we do nothing. And it just might be the greatest nothing we will ever do.
See you soon,
