Tuesday, December 30, 2008

clearing the slate

That time of year is upon us. The time to reconcile, to reflect, to cast ahead into the murky future and wish fervently that it be so, so much better than the past year.

In other words, it's time to clear the slate of 2008 (hey, poet) and project wondrous abundance into 2009.

Here's what I plan on doing in the next few days to help me clear my own slate:

1) Gather materials for my 2009 vision board. This includes ripping relevant pictures and words out of magazines, corralling crayons and markers and perhaps glitter glue pens, and of course manifesting the perfect white board at my local Rite-Aid.

2) Reflect on everything that happened to me over 2008 by going through journals, blog posts, my own memories, and emails from friends. Oh, and Facebook, that keeper of milestones...

3) Light a candle or two on New Year's Eve and release everything that happened in and around my life in 2008. Meditate. Be calm and still.

4) Work on my vision board on New Year's Day. Drink some darn good coffee.

5) Enjoy my dog, my cats, my family. Take time to truly appreciate and be thankful for the little things.

There may be more, but for now, that's enough to occupy me! What are your plans for the New Year?
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8 comments:

Robin Road said...

Well, Happy Eve of New Years Eve!

Oi.

Maybe my resolution should be to keep my non-witty sentiments to myself.

But here it goes anyway. In New Years past my resolutions seemed to revolve around the more physical things in life. You know, the typical "lose a few pounds, save a few more bucks, paint that room and go through the drawer filled with scary things."

But this is the year that I want to be different. I want to tread lightly and cause less damage to my environment. I want to reduce the amount of meat that I consume and prepare more vegetarian meals from the garden in my backyard.

I want to concentrate on all the little blessings in my life. Those people who are positive influences on my life and those who love and support me despite the fact that I'm a goofball. Hell, I'm willing to admit that.

This past year I've lost friends to cancer, and those who took their own lives. The older I get I see how fragile we all really are. Sometimes a kind word is all that folks need to get through an obstacle. Sometimes all we need to do is turn the tv off and turn towards the person next to us.

These are the things I want to do. These are the things I should have already been doing. But in life everything is a learning experience, if we let it be and not fight it.

Heres to a happy, healthy new year..I'll be lighting a candle of my own!

Carolyn Howard-Johnson said...

Julie, guess I am a Red Rock Writer, too. Born and raised in Utah and much of my fiction and poetry is influenced by that country.

But, I digress. Thank you for including my Sharing with Writers blog, a Writer's Diges Best 101 Website in your blog roll. I really appreciate it.

Happy New Year--to both you and your followers!

Best,
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
www.howtodoitfrugally.com

Julie Trevelyan said...

Chris--wow. Thanks for sharing. I love hearing about others' resolutions/lists/goals/desires/dreams. It motivates!

Carolyn: Thanks for stopping by! And a very happy new year to you as well, from one writer to another.

I have another one for 2009: I'm giving up processed sugar, a month at a time (if I say a year, I definitely won't make it). It'll be tough, but I'm very excited about it. Down with white sugar! Blah!

Robin Road said...

I forgot one more little "goal".

I really want to dive back into going to school. I've been going to college off and on over the years without any real focus or goal other than taking classes that interest me.

But now that I've found a program that works for me, I'd like to dig into it and actually complete it.

Of course I know that educating oneself is an on going process. Its something that evolves and continues to grow. One course of study leads into the next.

It will be interesting to see what comes of this in the next few months.

Julie Trevelyan said...

Back to school--sounds fun, actually! What program have you found that you want to do?

Robin Road said...

Religion, actually!

I grew up Catholic, but I'm recovering nicely.

I've always been fascinated by religion and how it controls peoples minds and how it empowers them to impose their views on others.

It really doesn't matter which religion we talk about, whether it be Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam, Judaism, Mormonism, Jainism, Sikhism, Hindu, Shinto...All of these religions have a certain segment of their adherents who are willing to kill, or be killed as it were to defends their religious views. (Well, except for Jainism. I don't think I've ever heard of a militant Jain!)

So, I found a university which has a Bachelors program in Religion. It covers all sorts of different sects. Its not faith based, but purely academic.

I've always believed in a god..or a higher power. However or whatever it is, I don't believe it can ever be contained by a few words contained in a dusty volume. God is a living thing, I just hate how religion has perverted its substance.

You know? So, I've been drawn to the study of religion to defend myself from the ignorant attacks of the religious right. You know, those who only know the scripture that takes rights away from minorities, women and others? The scripture that allows women to be beaten and civil rights taken away from others?

;-) I could go on and on as you can see. Its an interesting topic to me and I like talking to foks to find out why they are drawn to certain belief systems. Usually its because they were brought up in it, but for others who convert at an adult age, I like to know why.

I better sign off before I hog up all of your blog space!!

Julie Trevelyan said...

Damn...sounds really cool. Which university, if you don't mind saying? I've been fascinated with religion as well, and what it does to people. What an interesting 2009 you might have ahead of you!

Robin Road said...

Oh boy. I just re-read my post and saw all the ghastly errors, run on sentences and repeated phrases.

I was writing on your blog at work and had to minimize the page every time a supervisor walked by! See what happens when i write in a rush?
GAH!

Anhow. Its called American Military University, www.apus.edu and is geared towards the military and other government employees who don't work a set schedule. Its convenient because its completely online. I may lose some of the appeal of being in a classroom, but then again, that may be beneficial too!

Allright you. Don't party too hard tonight!

See you soon.