At the end of the year

It is a common perception that the older we get the faster time is rushing by. So like many others, you may have found yourself once again rather surprised that 2013 is over. Where did all the days and months go? Of course the pace of time hasn’t changed this year – an hour still consisted of 60 minutes, a day of 24 hours and the year of 365 days. However, what may have gradually changed is your awareness of what you have experienced in the course of a day. For some of you the year may have dashed by in the wake of an insanely busy schedule; others may have experienced 2013 in a blur, through boredom or the grind of their daily routines. Or you may find yourself among those, who couldn’t wait for this year to be over – because for you it was filled with difficult challenges, painful endings or draining uncertainties. So you just want to forget about it and hope for a better 2014.

The question is, can we really afford to be so “generously” careless with our time? Shouldn’t every passing year remind us of the inevitable impermanence of our existence? Part of the problem is that we don’t take the time to acknowledge our successes, appreciate our blessings and embrace the growth we have made. So what if 2013 has been an incredibly rich and meaningful year for you – you just have not yet noticed it? But it is never too late.

As a part of our New Year’s eve tradition, Danielle and I spend some time reflecting back on the past year – and setting our intentions for the coming one. Reflecting on the last 12 months will give you a greater sense of completetion and resolution. And when you set clear intentions for the coming year something magical happens. Even if you don’t look again at what you have written until the end of 2014, you will be amazed about how much of what you have been intending actually came to pass – whether this is a testimony to the power of intentions or the law of attraction, or whether you have just programmed your subconscious mind for you to find and create what you want.

So take a time out, grab a pen and paper and contemplate the following questions. Don’t overthink it but write from your heart.

• What were your highlights of last year?
• What accomplishments did you create?
• What lessons did you learn?
• What were the blessings you experienced?
• What are your desires and intentions for 2014?
• What are your top 5 goals for this coming year?
• What is your theme for 2014?

By ending this year acknowledging its gifts and learning opportunities and entering the new one focusing on your goals and desires, you are taking ownership on what you have and on what you will experience during that time.

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