HONOR YOUR SUCCESS

from December 2013 Paper Architect Community Newsletter

You can look at Winter Solstice as the beginning process of closing out the year and preparing for the next.  Between the Solstice and New Year's Eve is a perfect opportunity to go within (hibernate) and take stock of the past year.

Make a list of all the high points of the past year -- special moments, events, realizations, accomplishments, changes, new relationship.  I usually do this right before I write my holiday letter to my friends.  Not only do I have content to share, but it also gives me a chance to reflect on what transpired over the year in a somewhat objective point of view.

The bonus is that it always helps me get a perspective on where my life has been heading and in observing the transitions throughout the year, can find so much to be thankful for as well as helping me to get a clearer view of the big picture so I can make adjustments, updates, take new directions to move closer to where I want to be in my life going forward.

There have been times when I thought not much happened over the year or it was not so great, but when I started going through my appointment calendar and journal entries month by month, to my surprise, I discovered just how much I have to be grateful for.

It's worth taking the time to honor your life and the successes you've had over the year.  That way, it makes things clearer as to what direction you want to take going into the New Year.

Which leads me to the tradition of New Year's Resolutions.

More often than not, we set them out of "I should do what's good for me" list.  This makes them difficult to keep because they are based on 'shoulds' -- should give up, should start doing and not on what you actually would welcome into your life.

That's why I prefer to create 2/two lists on New Year's Eve as part of my New Year Ritual.

One list is saying goodbye to all the things I don't want to continue into the next year.

The second lists all the things I want to have in my life.

From there I create Intentions/Goals* to work on using the methods I teach in the Dare To Be Creative Workshop.  By the time January 1st is here, there is a sense of purpose and direction that motivates me to move forward toward manifesting them. 

 

And of course, don't forget to save space for magic and miracles.

*Paper Architect has created an INTENTION BOOKLET, available for sale on our online marketplace:

www.etsy.com/shop/wwwpaperarchitectcom

WINTER SOLSTICE; Dec 2013

The month of December is when we celebrate 

  WINTER SOLSTICE

December 21 is the first day of Winter, also known as Winter Solstice.

  Many cultures and spiritual teachings take this day to celebrate with special rituals, ceremonies, parties and prayers.

Although I now live in Southern California, I grew up in the Mid-West so I am familiar with a strong winter season of snow storms, black ice and below freezing temperatures.  I also have fond memories of waking up early Christmas morning to freshly fallen snow and a kind of midnight blue sky you see on greeting cards . . . quiet and magical.    

Winter is also associated with hibernation. The bears do it and the chilly weather encourages us to do the same.  

The Winter Solstice marks a time to pause and take a look at your life, the past year and what you've done.  

It's part of the cycle -- rest (Winter cycle of reflection and connecting to your inner self / your feelings).  

Next will be taking those feelings and think about what you want to do with them -- preparation stage (Spring cycle of birthing ideas with the new birth of life in nature just beginning to show).  

Once you've made a plan, the time for action has arrived (Summer cycle) of getting out and doing things.  

Next comes the time for celebrating putting your ideas into action (Fall cycle of harvesting all you have accomplished).  

Then we return to the rest cycle again.  And so it continues.  

Let me offer you a suggestion as to how to acknowledge this time:

Create a ritual around HONORING YOURSELF and YOUR OWN TRUTH by giving yourself some time to kick back with a hot cup of your favorite drink to keep you warm and allow your mind to drift.  

What do you like about yourself, what have you done that you are proud of -- this is something we rarely do for ourselves which is very sad.  We need to remember all the stuff we actually need instead of concentrating on that big "To Do" list.  Notice the times you did something brave you didn't know you could do, speaking from your heart and feeling how freeing that is, stood up for yourself and felt your own power. 

The Solstice is always a time of change, reset, release of the past and a movement into a new cycle.  THIS SOLSTICE IS ABOUT ANCHORING YOUR DREAMS AND INTENTIONS by creating time for yourself to rest and reflect on what those dreams and intentions are that mean the most to you.  YOUR DESIRES SHOULD BE GIVEN TOP PRIORITY.  DON'T BE AFRAID TO DREAM BIG!  If you are still feeling the weight of what you have carried, changed, released processed, started or created these past months, release it somehow in a fire or other ceremonial way. 

 When you release these things, you can then take a rest and allow those dreams to take shape.  Make sure you do it in a way that is uniquely yours that you will enjoy.