Yesterday, when the clock’s hands moved from 11:59 pm to 12:00 midnight, the world changed forever. We mark linear time that way and notice the difference between one period and another. Last night, I ushered in 2014 with friends who have been in my life for years; in some cases 10 or more of them. High energy, enthusiastic, creative folks, gathered at the festively decorated home of my friends Karen and Bill. We danced until we were drenched in sweat, pleasantly exhausted, drummed, offered improvisational music, shared pot luck food, hugged, sang and otherwise celebrated our connection. I was thrilled that my own improvised concoction of red and white quinoa, wild rice, kale and blackberries lightly sautéed in sesame oil and teriyaki ginger sauce was scarfed up in moments.  Definitely need to make that again.

Experimentation is what makes this new year even more exciting as I know I will be trying on unaccustomed ways of being, as if they were pretty shoes all lined up on a shelf. Some will look good, but feel too tight and constricting. Others will be so big that I may trip over my feet at first. The third group may contain footwear that will be just right; combining comfort and style.

I am stretching beyond what I thought was acceptable behavior for someone who endeavors to be low maintenance (read: unobtrusive, not too much trouble, don’t rock the boat, don’t make waves). The sad part is that by wanting to be seen that way and therefore be accepted, I missed out on opportunities that I could have grasped had I been bolder. ‘Boldness’ is one of my watchwords this year, along with ‘allowing’. Although they might seem as if they are opposite polarities, the reality is that they are linked together. If I am bold in asking for what I desire, then I have more freedom to step back and allow for what I have requested, to show up.

As the sun appeared in the sky this morning, I knew (as I do each day) I had a choice about how I entered into the new day. If I carry old habits into it, it sometimes feels like I am toting a bag of rocks, labeled ‘judgments’, ‘fears’, ‘scarcity thoughts’, ‘resentments’. I am clear that in order to do something different, I need to think something different. Rewiring my brain takes conscious intention and the appropriate tools to do so. They take the form of journaling, meditation, creating Vision Boards, prayer, visualization and conscious embodiment of what I desire. I ask myself how someone who is confident would walk, talk, stand, interact with the world around her. She would have her head held high and take steps in the direction of her dreams. That inner GPS would guide her to her destination that she had pre-programmed before setting forth on her journey. Sometimes there are detours that require ‘recalculating’, but always she arrives as the sun is rising on a new dawn.

Feeling Good

Birds flyin’ high you know how I feel
Sun in the sky you know how I feel
Breeze driftin’ on by you know how I feel
Its a new dawn, its a new day, its a new life for me
yeah, its a new dawn its a new day its a new life for me ooooooooh
AND I’M FEELING GOOD

Fish in the sea, you know how I feel
River runnin’ free you know how I feel
Blossom on the tree you know how I feel
Its a new dawn, its a new day, its a new life for me
And I’m feelin good

Dragonfly out in the sun you know what i mean dont you know
Butterflies all havin’ fun you know what I mean
Sleepin’ peace when day is done that’s what I mean
And this old world is a new world and a bold world for me

Stars when you shine you know how I feel
Scent of the crime you know how I feel
Your freedom is mine, and I know how I feel
Its a new dawn, its a new day, its a new life for me
(Free styling)
OH I’M FEELING GOOOOOOOOOOOOOD

http://youtu.be/LR1bWhdoIXM   Feeling Good- sung by Nina Simone