As a Chinese tradition, prior to the new year, our families would close out the old year by having a simple sit-down family meal together and declaring that we are closing out the old year with that meal. I always liked the idea of that because it meant that the year behind us with all its ups and downs, the good and bad…that it was all now being closed out so we could welcome in the new year. Sort of like a fresh start.

Somehow, that always gave me a feeling that if there was anything that I was not really happy about in the past year that we were closing out, that that part of our lives would not follow me forward into the new year if I thoughtfully sorted out the wheat from the chaff. I could count my blessings for the lessons I’d learned from whatever occurred because I knew I had grown somehow.

If I consciously examine my life as I close out the old year, I can mindfully choose what I want to take with me and what I want to let go of…well… then I’ve done something good for myself.

Today we are on the cusp of that time once again, at least according to the Gregorian calendar. It’s not Chinese New Year, but it is a new year. It’s a time when we can look back and learn from so much that has gone by during that time. It’s a time for us to take the time so that when we enter into 2025 mindfully, we have our eyes wide open. I don’t think this refers to any of the political drama that we may have witnessed or the tragedies that unfolded over the year, but that we take a personal look at our lives and what we are creating and living out.

Some things I think about are basic discoveries that I’ve made about myself that I would like to alter or evolve. This has to do with little tendencies that I may have to focus on the negative when there’s so much positive around me. When I focus on the negative, my whole world is colored by that mood, those thoughts and those emotions, so why do I do it? Habit. Peer reflexive habit. If there’s one thing I hope that I am learning, it is that when I do act out of habit rather than consciously, that I catch myself and correct myself at that point. It’s a goal anyway.

So what do I want to leave behind? This is a great time to contemplate that.

The best part about looking forward, however, has to do with what I can hope to create in the new year! What is most exciting about this time of year for me is that now I can focus on the future and imagine and visualize what I want to create in the coming year. I don’t want to think about the things I don’t want to carry forward with me into 2025 nor do I want to focus on any fears that I may have that I may inadvertently manifest in the coming year. I want to focus on creating what I want and need.

So this time allows me to dream big and challenge myself to grow in many ways. Whether that is creating music, art, making new friends, having new adventures, reading new books, learning new skills, trying new foods, or anything to challenge myself to grow, I’m grateful to have this opportunity to actively create my world. Who will I want to share my world with? Those that brought me down or those who lift me up? Do I want to just live the same old routine life or do I want to create new adventures and experiences? It’s all a choice.

I’m excited for it to happen. How about you? What will you create for the coming year? What will you leave behind?

A useful exercise to solidify this process is to write all this down, put a date on it and put it somewhere safe so you can reread it again at any future point to see if you are on track or not. Make a list of those things that you want to leave behind that no longer serve you. Ask yourself, “What lessons did I learn from that experience?” Then make a corresponding list of those things that you do want to create for the coming year. You can even take out some art tools and draw images about what you are leaving behind and what you are wanting to create. Take this time for yourself as we move into the new year. And have a great New Year…dream big…be safe and create a mindset that serves you.

Namaste 🙏🏼

Dr. Sharon

Music Credit Acknowledgment:

https://uppbeat.io/t/rahul-popawala/north-indian-alleys

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