2012 New Year's Intentions/Resolutions

For most of my early life New Year's Eve/Day didn't carry much weight. It just seemed like an excuse for a noisy party. (Not that I didn't have some fun at those parties;-) The only "real" impact that the last day of the year has to do with in my life is closing up the past years money books. In every other way this could just be any other day. We all have the potential to celebrate deeply and to clear the slate on any day we choose. I suppose it is nice to have a day where many of us are focused on a unified idea though. In that way, I think it's great that we open up a space to talk about making positive changes in our lives through intentions and resolutions.

Last year my New Year's post was about cutting ourselves some slack about the resolutions at this time of year. I spoke about how the winter is a time of low energy in which most living beings are meant to rest and recoup. Money and social pressures fight against our instincts and drive us out into the cold days and dark nights at a harried pace; frying our nerves and burning us out. Nature designed winter as the perfect time to slow down and let go of the old stuff that drain our energy. As winter turns to spring, and our energy is restored, new growth is natural and easy.

But maybe I just didn't have the energy for resolutions last year. This year I'm taking on a few of my own intentions because I'm feeling like some little shifts will likely kindle my inner flame. The threshold of a new calendar year is a great time to reflect on some powerful questions. What is it that I'm doing on a regular basis that is no longer serving me? How might I begin to release my grip on this habit or way of thinking? How can I make more space for me to grow in a positive way in my own life? Is there any small shift, I can make that will help me restore my energy more fully? How can I easily incorporate these changes into my life without draining energy in other areas of my life?

Small shifts can be the most powerful because they lay a solid foundation for lasting change. So far I have one intention and one resolution for the year. As I see it the difference between an intention and a resolution has to do with whether or not your have clear steps to achieve your goal. I have set the intention of being more hopeful in 2012. I've had my fair share of disappointments over the years and have trained myself not to get my hopes up too high so that I wouldn't feel so disappointed when my hopes didn't pan out as I expected. Don't get me wrong, my life is full of joy and I'm grateful for the many, many things that ended up working out even better than I hoped. But it's time for a little more lightness in my heart. I'm calling this an intention because I don't really KNOW how to hope. There always seems to be that devil's advocate in the back of my mind reminding me that this just not might work out. So as I set an intention, I'm setting myself up to be open to practicing and learning to be more hopeful. 


While an intention tends to be a little more vague, a resolution should have clear cut steps that you can use to measure your progress. My resolution for 2012 is to organize my favorite quotes and photos. I want to have these words of wisdom and nuggets of inspiration at the ready when I need a little inner lift. You'll get to measure my resolve too because my intention is to post them here. The first one (which actually sparked me to come write down these thoughts today) is from Kathy Freston, author of Quantum Wellness.


"It's the small, incremental changes that vault us to a new experience of ourselves... we too can affect the probability of something spectacular materializing by the energy we put into supporting the new."

Let it Shine - Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Lady Gaga

I'm getting ready for the Christmas Eve Yoga class at Shine. and there is a lot to use as inspiration at this time of year. I'm sure the students are expecting a sweet soulful class from me today. Do you think they will surprised when I start off talking about Lady Gaga?

I happened to catch a few minutes of one of her interviews this week. When she was asked what she thought of pop icon, Madonna, she replied with this, "I love Madonna. She is so brave. She was so brave.  Everyday when I'm working I think about bravery. You always have to push forward and be unafraid." Here's a link if you'd like to see the interview clip for yourself.  http://www.aoltv.com/2011/09/13/lady-gaga-madonna-inspiration-gaga-by-gaultier-video/

So, it turns out that I get more than ever, that all of her antics are on purpose. She wants to push the edge of what is acceptable so far that there is more space for everyone else to feel more free to be unique. She loves the quirkiness of life. She wants to have the freedom to be herself, she wants you to have that freedom too, and she's doing what she can to help people feel more comfortable in their own skin and to be more accepting of others. If that means she has to find the courage to put herself out there "On the Edge" for ridicule as well as admiration, she is willing to do it. (I realize there are a lot of people who won't agree with this viewpoint but I certainly think it's one worth considering.)

OK now what does this have to do with Christmas? I think a lot actually. If you look at all the holidays people are celebrating this week, they all involve the hope for freedom of some sort: freedom from the dark, freedom from despair, freedom from oppression, spiritual freedom, and freedom in general. All of the winter holidays share some quality of light overcoming dark. It takes courage and bravery to step into a dark place and shine your light because you never know what you are going to find there. But, when you do shine your light you will inevitably offer yourself up as a beacon of hope for others. Inside of you are so many valuable gifts just waiting to be ignited. Go on, shine your light. Don't hold back. Be brave and share your gifts with the world. It's true not everyone will like what you've got to give but there are others who are just waiting to be inspired by you to do the same. In the words of Gaga.... Baby You Were Born this Way!

For whatever holidays you are celebrating this month, I wish you the best.

Serenity in Letting Go and Moving On

Tonight I will teach my last class at Balance Yoga Center. This sweet little spot is closing it's doors at the end of this week. As there is with all endings, there is a little sadness, disappointment, and a few other emotions that aren't my favorite to experience. But, that is not what I'll be talking about in class tonight. What I will be talking about is the importance of being open to what is next. I use the Anusara Yoga philosophy as a guiding force in so many aspects of my life. So what I will be talking about tonight is the concept,  "that nothing ever really ends." The energy of life that has so many fabulous names like Shakti, Prana, Spirit, Grace, God, and more is cyclical. For everything that exists, there is "energy" that manifested, inspired, and sustained the life of that being (whether it was a human being or a yoga studio). "Energy" never dies. It goes on and takes new and hopefully even more glorious forms.

So, if..... in the midst of letting go of anything.... whether it is the life of a loved one, an old habit, a worn-out goal, or even just the physical items that you've grown attached to but are no longer serving you, you might try focusing on the possibility of what is waiting for you next as you loosen your grip on what was. In our Yoga practice we call this "opening to Grace." By opening to the faithful and rhythmic flow of life, we can experience serenity in times of challenge.

Isn't this what the whole "holiday season" is all about anyway. Many different religions and cultures are getting ready to celebrate a holiday that is symbolic of the never-ending flow of spirit, light, and goodness that comes into our darkest days to renew us. Let us each be open to living our best life in this moment. Let us do the best we can with what is presented before us and let us be open to the new possibilities that are waiting around the corner.