Ahhh! The sights, sounds, smells, and activities of the Holiday Season! Some people are energized and uplifted by the season. But for many, the holiday lifestyle of too much to do, too much stress, too much food, and not enough rest, rejuvenation or exercise takes its toll. First there’s the decadence of Thanksgiving, then the December holiday parties, rich food, shopping, being around relatives, and maybe even travel. Like a tired runner trying to reach the finish line, we then see New Years coming up on us. More parties, people, and food! As a result, many people start the New Year tired, stressed, and sick. Then it’s time for . . . you guessed it! New Years Resolutions! Is it any wonder, given that start to the year, that our ambitious January plans have faded by the middle of February?
This issue of the Spark seeks to shift that thinking. How about a Happy RE-New Year? How about using this time from Christmas to New Years to Re-New your body, mind, and spirit? The definition of renew is to make new or as if new again. Wouldn’t it be great to begin the New Year feeling refreshed, enthusiastic, healthy, and ready to begin 2007 with a strong start? Here are some REnewal tips:
REflect: Take a few minutes to write down some of the landmark events, discoveries, or actions of 2006. How are you different today than you were at the start of the year? What are you proud of? Where in your life are you fully being yourself, and how does that feel? Where in your life are you NOT being yourself or holding back? What is the effect of that? This is a really important step in the renewal process because it helps you get in touch with who you have been and have become throughout the year.
REjoice: What are you grateful for? What have been the blessings during the last year? What have been the challenges that you didn’t appreciate at the time, but now you see how those helped you grow or created new opportunities? What can you appreciate most about yourself? Just as I suggested you write down your reflections, I suggest you write out your gratitude. It gives that feeling more substance and meaning when you write it.
REevaluate: What went well in 206? Make a list of at least 20 things that went well in 2006. How could you carry that success and momentum into 2007? What didn’t work so well? How did you respond? What could you do differently to achieve that desired outcome? How do YOU need to grow or change to create the results you want? I find that people don’t focus enough on success (which can help them create more of it!), and they focus too much on what they didn’t do (which makes them feel ineffective) or what didn’t work out as planned (which is really only feedback to use to move forward). So reevaluate 2006 with 80% of your focus on how you want to add to or create success, and only 20% on learning the lessons.
REkindle: What are you passionate about? What gives you energy and “juice” in life? How can you tap into that energy more fully in your life? What are 5 – 10 ways you can bring more passion and energy into your life? What would be different about you and your life if you could do that on a consistent basis?
REcharge: To be at our best, we have to periodically recharge, just like the rechargeable batteries that power our electronic gadgets. It’s important for us to recharge all four of our energy types: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Identify the activities that recharge you. My favorites are exercise, being out in nature, meditation, spending time with good friends, laughter, body work (such as massage), and the list goes on. The key is to know YOUR special strategies to recharge.
This is a great time of year. It’s often the time that we make a special point of connecting with those who matter most, or we more fully embrace spiritual practices, or we get out of our old patterns and do new things. However, it’s also important to take care of ourselves during this time so that we can get a strong start on 2007. I hope you’ll think about taking the time to renew, reflect, rejoice, reevaluate, rekindle, and recharge during the holidays. When you do, you’ll really be ready for the New Year!
