Most people I know make New Year's Resolutions. That's never worked for me. Instead, I find a Spiritual Action that I practice for the entire year. I spend some time on New Year's Day contemplating what I could do to grow spiritually or perhaps it is better stated as I think about what I could do differently to help me become a better person.
Over the years I have practiced Patience, Forgiveness, Non Judgment, Compassion/Kindness, Letting Go of Expectations, Gratitude and many more. Sometimes I made myself do the Spiritual Action for two years if I had trouble with it - that happened with both letting go of Judgment and with releasing Expectations. I was astonished to discover how much I judged and expected and I considered myself a pretty tolerant and easy-going person. Getting through those 4 years (not in a row) was life-changing for me. For one thing, I became so much less critical and so much happier! Gratitude is a Spiritual Action that I have done a total of 3 times. That has been the most profound Spiritual Action for me so far, as I now inhabit a life that feels blesses, because I am so blessed....
This year I have decided to practice Acceptance. I want to be able to more fully accept "what is." That doesn't mean that I can't change some things and fix some things. But I find myself getting too frustrated about things that I can't change or that don't involve me. And, perhaps there are things that I need to be patient about and I'm truly hoping that practicing Acceptance will help with that. Otherwise, Patience will have to be done once again. I'd also like to accept not just things that happen to me, I also want to accept other people more - to really be able to appreciate them exactly as they and where they are even though I am so motivated to help them become their future selves. And most important, I want to accept myself, whatever that really means and I do hope to learn that.
I have the sneaking suspicion that Acceptance won't be that easy. I will keep you informed about how I am doing. If anyone out there would like to join me in finding a Spiritual Practice for the year, I would love to hear about it!
Happy New Year!
Fatima Louborg
Feb 03, 2018
I love your post!
I usually do a little fire ritual, burning the old years spiritual wish and bringing in a new one. Last year was letting go of control, this year is staying high frequent by enjoying life (less self pity).
patricia probst
Jan 29, 2018
This year I would like to join you and practice forgiveness but I don’t know how. I feel angry and I don’t know where to start. I’m hoping you can guide me with your 30 years of experience.
Lene
Jan 01, 2018
I too have for several years worked on becoming a better spiritual person! Love to hear I am not alone. Thanks for sharing.
This year I am working on a better balance between trusting and letting go.
Vanessa
Jan 01, 2018
Hi. I’m wanting to do an overhaul Spiritually & Emotionally in order to heal from trauma my entire life and gain confidence to love myself and others and get on with living instead of slowly dying all the time. I want my illnesses to be things of the past now. I want to introduce myself to the world in a whole new light.