New Beginning

This is a new year. A new beginning. And things will change.

Taylor Swift. singer

Be willing to be a beginner every single morning.

Meister Eckhart, philosopher

Welcome 2023! We have a new year book of empty pages to be filled. A wise old practice is to pick a value, a character trait, and some goals to be lovingly intentional about living each day. This year my index card starts with acceptance, focus and finish, be open to change, cultivate my mindful consciousness with more love. Leave last year gratefully behind, welcoming new possibilities, or carry over what’s important.

Recipe
Set aside a serene quiet hour (or much more) with yourself. Make it special whatever that means to you. Reflect and write. Take your time. When you think you’re done, prioritize. What is your heart telling you to put at the top? Distill to an index card. Put your card in a place you can see every day and make it part of your daily practice of meditation. Repeat in six months and next year.

You will be in awe at how many goals, dreams, personal shifts manifest, sometimes in surprising ways, simply by mindfully living with intentional awareness. One day at a time you get to choose. Practice makes progress.

Here are some quotes and a special instagram account to inspire you:

Pick yourself up. Dust yourself off. Start all over again.

Dorothy Fields, lyricist

We must be willing . . . the old skin has to be shed before the new one can come.

Joseph Campbell, writer

Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.

Seneca, Roman philosopher

Forgiveness says you are given another chance to make a new beginning.

Desmond Tutu, theologian and bishop

If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one.

Dolly Parton, songwriter

Some exceptional Inspirational writing prompts can be found here: @morganharpernichols