As 2018 has come to an end, we reflect on all of the experiences that have brought us to where we are at this moment. The year has seen us through the ups and downs, joys and heartaches, triumphs and failures, and all of the many in betweens. As we reflect on both our individual and collective experiences, we recognize with gratitude the many lessons learned and the wisdom gained that we can carry forward with us into the new year. And through this introspection we develop an appreciation for all our experiences because we recognize it is the culmination of these experiences that contributes to who we are today.
There is magic in this realization, in recognizing the part we play in our own experience of life through the beliefs we hold sacred, our personal feelings toward them, and the choices we make because of it. We may not always fully understand the actions we take until we look deeper at the feelings and beliefs supporting them. But therein lies the beauty of the introspective process. It is where we gain a deeper understanding of self, where we are on our journey, how we got there, and where we want to go.
As we stand at the beginning of this new year, opportunities for newness and rejuvenation abound. So, what do you want to bring forth into your experience in this new year? What do you wish to create for yourself, your loved ones, and even the world at large? Which old habits and beliefs do you want to replace with those that support more of what you prefer to experience in your life?
Answering these questions might seem easy enough, but real meaningful change stems from a deep understanding and acceptance of who you are and acting in alignment with that truth. It's more than just setting a resolution. It’s a thoughtful and introspective process that not only acknowledges the goals you wish to achieve, but honestly recognizes the path that has taken you to where you are now. And through this reflective process, you develop a keen awareness of your weaknesses and strengths, preferences, and tendencies, all of which whose understanding can help you forge a way toward meeting the goals and resolutions you have set for yourself in the ways that are most appropriate for you.
But self-understanding begins first with the willingness to becoming self-aware.
Who are you, really? What drives you? What are those experiences that have had a significant impact on you, both for good and the not-so-good? What have you learned from those experiences, and how have they shaped your perspectives of reality?
So, on these first few days of the new year, I encourage you to take a few moments to reflect on where you’ve been, where you are, and where you want to go, and to think about what you would like to create for yourself this year. In the meantime, I leave you with my wish for all the sentient beings who call this beautiful Earth their home.
My Utopia
My utopia is a world at peace… where there is love and respect for mankind and the planet we call home... where we thrive on the abundance of the Earth and nourish and protect its resources – not just for the sake of ourselves and our children, but for the sake of all mankind - today, tomorrow, and ever forward… where learning is not a privilege but a right, and where those who truly seek to attain higher levels of knowledge can do so freely, limited only by their own faculties… where wisdom is not only respected but valued for its depth of insight and understanding… where man would not sacrifice integrity for profit… where we can trust those who take the lead… where trust and honesty do matter, and vows are kept and sacred… and where we are free to Live – happy, prosperous, and fulfilled…
What is your utopia?
Happy New Year
With Love,
The Blue Lotus-RVA
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