Saturday, December 29, 2012

Newly Bright


So when you feel all the endings coming...begin looking for all the beginnings.  –Ann Voskamp

I have a painting titled "For today, newly bright." Each day is new, and each year is new. True, it is an artificial delineation, but still a chance to begin again. This morning I will go up to my cabin in the mountains to spend the last days of the year reflecting on the year that is ending and anticipating the year about to begin.

I look forward to my New Year's Eve ritual.  I build a fire in the fireplace.  In the last hours of the year, I write a letter to the old year. I reflect on the year, on what I learned and experienced, on the themes of the year, on what I think I will remember.  I thank the year for all the blessings it has brought.

Then I write a letter to the new year.  I welcome the new year and share my hopes and intentions.  I invite the new year in like a new friend, curious, eager to get acquainted, excited about possibilities.

I hold both letters as I say a prayer, once more thanking the departing year and welcoming the new year.  Then I burn both letters in the fireplace as an offering.

In the final minutes of New Year's Eve, I pick a word for the following year.  It is always a verb. It is not a resolution.  My word is a focus word, a gentle reminder, a guide. I write the word on little cards that I place where my gaze is sure to light – by my computer, the bathroom mirror, the car dash.  Throughout the year, my word is there, wherever I look.  As the months go by, it becomes a part of me.

How do I choose my word?  Sometimes I am pretty sure I know before New Year's Eve, but more often I don't.  As the year comes to a close, I open my mind and heart.  The word comes to me, like a whisper in my soul.

My word for 2012 has been "Shine.” The word itself has been a beacon to me, guiding me always towards the light, encouraging me during some dark times, reminding me that the light is always shining in me and all around me. In some very tangible ways, my word sustained me during the months of getting my book ready to publish. And in some very personal ways, my word helped me right myself when I stumbled over fear.

It is a word of faith, of hope, of joy, of promise, of transcendence. And it is a word of forgiveness and acceptance and love. As noted in the Bible and other wisdom teachings, the sun shines on the wicked and the righteous without distinction. So generous.

I’m grateful for my word this year, and I’m eager to find out what my 2013 word will be.  When I get back from the cabin on the 1st, I’ll write a post and let you know.  If you pick a word for yourself, I hope you’ll share it, too.

As part of my thanks to the departing year, I would like to say thank you to you.  I started this blog in February 2010, not at all sure what I was doing (still don’t know), and with no idea where it would lead (still don’t know that either).  But I do know this.  I have been so deeply touched and humbled by the support and encouragement I’ve gotten from so many people.  Through you and your blogs, I have received so much wisdom, inspiration, challenge, information, and lots of great fun.  And as we all know, fun is good.  (As the Cat in the Hat said, “It is fun to have fun!”)  I am so blessed to be part of this network of people.  You are such a gift.  Thank you.

Best wishes for a blessed end of 2012, and a new beginning with unlimited possibilities in 2013.

[One of my favorite things about the cabin is that I am away from phone, cable, and internet, so I will be “unplugged” from today until I return on Tuesday.  I hope you know by now that your comments are valuable and valued. Because I use comment moderation to monitor spam, there is a delay in the appearance of your comments, for which I apologize. Don’t let that stop you!  Please leave a comment, and it will magically appear New Year’s Day as soon as I get back.]

28 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for your kind words, and all your inspiring posts, through out the year. Shine was a perfect word for you this last year, especially with your success on your wonderful book! I will be back to see what you bring forth for next year! Take good care of you, happiness for you always!

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    1. Karen, So what do you think of my new word--wait? Hm. Thank you for your kind words and your continued blog friendship.

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  2. Shine was a great choice for 2012.

    Interestingly, I found myself many times telling people to "rise and shine" and "unleash their greatness."

    The funny thing about shine is that I had a hard time finding that word all year ... I remembered things like glimmer, sparkle, sheen ... but I was looking for shine. It reminds me of the shimmer of the light on a sword unsheathed, or standing in the sun, ready to unleash greatness.

    Best wishes on finding your word for 2013.

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    1. JD, Yes, shine was a great word. I really had fun with it. If you click on the label "shine" in the box in the right column, you might find some other quotes in posts I wrote about shine. Thanks for your good wishes.

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  3. Have a happy new year in your cabin! I'll be interested to hear your word for 2013.

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    1. Linda, I had a wonderful time. Beautiful snow sparkling in the moonlight. Crisp, crunchy walks. Reading by the fire. Asking the creek to bless this new year. I am fired up and ready for this new year!

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  4. Blessings to you as you say goodbye to 2012 and hello to 2013. Happy New Year!

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  5. Hi Galen,

    What a lovely post. The ritual you use at the end of the year and before the start of the new one is amazing and sounds very powerful, yet peaceful at the same time.

    I loved the idea of a having a word to guide you throughout the year. For 2013, I would like to use the word "Options". I know that in the New Year there will be times when I will face challenges. In these instances, I will remind myself I have options to do things in other ways.

    Thank you and a very Happy New Year to you!

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    1. Hiten, I can't remember when I started this ritual, but it has been very meaningful to me. Love your word! I remember a time in my life when realizing I had options was the difference between life and death. A powerful word!

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  6. Hi Galen,
    I like your New Years ritual and I think I will do the same this year. Enjoy the rest of the 2012 and have a very prosperous and joyous 2013.

    Take Care.

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    1. Justin, Did you try it? Hope you will comment on my new post and let me know how it worked for you. Best wishes to you, too, for 2013.

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  7. I wish you a wonderful 2013, Galen. I believe you talked about the "newly bright" picture in your book. Thanks for sharing your ritual. Sending you abundant love and looking forward to a bright 2013 with you. Love and hugs, Vidya

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    1. Vidya, I did talk about that painting in the book. Sending abundant love right back to you, reflecting back to you the shining light that you are to the world.

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  8. Galen, I love your New Year's ritual! I am considering a word for next year, too - something I've never done before. I will be praying over it and about it.
    Have a marvelous, restful time at your cabin!
    Blessings and love for 2013!

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    1. Martha, I hope you will comment on my new post and let me know if you chose a word for the year! Blessings to you, too.

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  9. Galen: Have a wonderful New Year!

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  10. Inspired by you Galen... I now select a new word at the beginning of each year. Last year's word was audacity and I think I pulled that one off okay LOL Yes I might have done better but then... we always can. That's the beauty of it.

    I look forward to hearing your new word for next year... and at the stroke of 12 midnight on New Years Eve will think of a word for myself. I have a few possibilities [too many as always]... but no one word set in stone at this time LOL

    Have a wonderful time at your cabin... and every best wish to you my beautiful friend from far far away... for a wonderful positive and powerful 2013.

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    1. Jean, Yes, I can attest to your audacity in 2012! Can't wait to hear your new word. Hope you will comment on my new post and share it. I did have a wonderful time at the cabin. Enjoyed crisp walks in the snow while you are enjoying summer down under! Best wishes to you, too, in 2013.

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  11. All the best Galen and wishing you great success, harmony and peace for 2013.
    Riley

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  12. It IS fun to have fun and hanging out with people like you in the Blogosphere is fun! I hope you are enjoying your New Years ritual - how cool is that!
    All the best to you in 2013 Galen!
    Lori

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    1. Lori, You are a model of my 2012--shine! Your courage this year has been an inspiration to me and countless others. May abundant blessings shower over you and your family this new year.

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  13. I am looking forward to hearing what your new word is. I am wishing you the best in this New Year to come.

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    1. Bonnie, Come see my new post and find out! Best wishes to you, too.

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  14. Blessing to you dear friend; I must say thanks for your many post of enlightenment. I would put down today's as just lovely, sweet and inspiring. I like the thought of choosing a word; so I am going to think more deeply about it until the clock strikes 12 and the New Year Begins. I sort of envy that you have a cabin to go to with no technology. Enjoy the precious time there.I will look forward to finding out what you word is.
    Blessings and hugs to you; have a wonderful New Year!

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    1. LeAnn, I do love my cabin, it's true. I had a glorious few days of quiet reflection, reading, walking in the snow, enjoying the solitude. I am refreshed and ready for a new year! Thank you for your kind words. Did you choose a word? Hope you will comment on my new post and share it! Blessings to you, too.

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