photo + art by Kimberly
"Observe the wonders as they occur around you. Don't claim them.
Feel the artistry moving through and be silent.” - Rumi
WelcOMe to *almost* 2012. A new year, a fresh start. It's that special time of the year to take a step back to evaluate where you are, where you've been, and where you're heading. Each year I enjoy reflecting on
highlights, lessons learned, and dreams for the following year. This process brings back good memories, a sense of gratitude, and offers an opportunity to ensure movement in a direction aligned with values. For yogis this is an important aspect of our practice and it's called
svadhyaya (self study) - one of the ten moral codes of yoga. I love the above quote by Rumi as it serves as the perfect reminder to
slow down, reflect, explore, and dig deeper.
Let's get started, pull out your journal, and pour a mug of hot cocoa (top with vegan marshmallows). Go through your photos or planner and note the highlights of your yearlong journey. What stands out? How did you spend your time? Where did you travel? What did you read? How did your spiritual practice unfold? I posted my
year in review sharing pictorial highlights tonight and it helped me recall what a blessed year it has been - sprinkled with simple pleasures, connections, and sensory experiences.
A few 2011 highlights include India Night,
Benefit for the Animals, launching
TS Labs and
weekly TS TV episodes,
Tranquil Space Foundation efforts, team retreats,
Climate Ride support, incorporation of
vintage and reclaimed goods into our green boutique offerings, launch of
rewards program, raising over $2000 for
So Others Might Eat at our Thanksgiving classes, supporting
Pigs Animal Sanctuary board, our sponsorship of
National Conference to End Factory Farming, and our
team holiday fete at
Elizabeth's Gone Raw.
What are your highlights? Can you bring them together in visual form? Collage, doodle, list them, or pull together photos of your year.
Next, review the year's challenges (aka growth opportunities) to label as
lessons learned. For me, a few stand out: release what isn't working, schedule creativity, embrace simplicity, express gratitude constantly, lean into eccentricities, dance with joy, communicate compassionately (highly recommend
Nonviolent Communication), keep working with spaciousness (and remember it when over-scheduling!), and don't take things personally. What lessons are you taking away from your experiences this year? Is there a theme that emerged?
Now it's time to look forward. What do you
dream for 2012? For me, it's an ongoing journey to be strategic with my time and energy. Since I oversee five organizations including two yoga studios, volunteer, design
TranquiliT eco-collection, "mother" three furry creatures, and am pursuing a Master's in Social Work, this is more important than ever. A few more of my 2012 dreams include: Create (and sustain) morning and evening routines. Do all I can for
the animals. Nurture our yoga cOMmunity. Read 2 books (in addition to school books) each month. Teach inspiring yoga classes. Live these
zen habits. Indulge in an art retreat (
scenes from my 2011 indulgence). Do daily sun salutations. Craft inspiring
videos,
podcasts, and
e-courses. Offer more Tranquil Teens programs through
Tranquil Space Foundation. Dance.
When you ponder what you want your life to look like December 31, 2012, what do you see? Take a moment to collage, draw, dream, pen, or paint it. Choose a word or mantra to focus on in 2012. Alas, spaciousness remains mine . . . for the fourth year in a row.
During a recent mindfulness meditation workshop, teacher Gina Sager said, "Live each moment as if it is truly the last - feel the engagement in each moment. You choose what you attend to and how. Reality depends on how we see. What if your expectations are what creates the problem?" What a great reminder as we journey into this new year! As we cross the threshold into a brand new year, I wish you oodles of tranquility. Raise a glass to 2011. Honor your efforts, tie a bow around it, and let it go. Toast to a dedication of
Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu and let your thoughts, words, and actions contribute to the happiness and freedom of all beings.
May you bask in the wonder of 2012.
Happiest of new years to you. You are beautiful. And you are full of potential. Relish in being uniquely, fabulously you this year. Let your light shine, the world is waiting.
Namaste,
Kimberly
