As we wrap up 2006, many of us are so caught up in completing our projects and getting through the holidays, that we can scarcely breathe. In our culture, we are so often running on autopilot, dashing from one thing to the next, that we forget to give ourselves the gift of celebration and appreciation for what we have actually accomplished.
We typically are also so focused on what we have not completed and what is still left to do, that we may end the year feeling hollow and incomplete.
In this regard, we usually set our New Year’s Resolutions from a place of lack and negativity rather than abundance and excitement.
In my coaching practice we spend the month of December wrapping up the year as a lovely present to ourselves. We celebrate with personal time, during the week of the new moon (a great time to plant the seed of new intention) and the winter equinox, which this year will both fall during the week of December 17th. This is also a great week, because we claim some much needed quiet time before the demands of the holidays really kick in.
Schedule a couple of hours with yourself, a lovely cup of tea, perhaps some beautiful music and your journal. Reflect and write your heartfelt answers to the following questions:
- What did you accomplish personally and professionally in 2006?
- What are you most proud of?
- What were you most challenged by?
- What were your greatest “learnings?”
- What’s next personally and professionally for 2007?
- What support structures will you put in place to be sure that you achieve your heart’s desires?
A really fun thing to do is to get a few friends together, share your answers to the above questions, and celebrate the completion of 2006 and beginning of 2007 together.
I love to do a ritual where each woman brings something small that meant a lot to her during the year-it could be a book, a poem, some music or anything at all that gave her the motivation or inspiration she needed. After she shares the story of this item and what it meant to her, she then gives it to the woman on her left, as a gift, to support her in the upcoming year.
Whether you choose to celebrate in joyous community or prefer delightful privacy, do wrap up 2006 as a gorgeous gift of appreciation to yourself. Be sure to tie on a big beautiful bow of what truly matters for 2007!
