This Week's Quotation:
Don’t go into the new year holding a grudge from last year. Leave the hurts and disappointments behind. All of us can look back and see things that should have defeated us. You’re still standing. That’s the goodness of God.
~ Joel Osteen
Welcoming the New Year
Terri McCartney
From my perspective, the glory of a new year is the grand opportunity to make it new! While I’m not one who makes resolutions, I am one that enjoys consciously releasing the old that I recognize no longer supports a high-quality life experience. Doing so makes room for the new I welcome into my life.
That’s why I engage in a “Welcoming the New Year” ritual each December 31. It begins with lighting candles and putting on music toned at 528 Hz Solfeggio Frequency. Then I get comfy in a chosen chair with a favorite pen and a new journal.
The first thing I write about is all the great things that happened over the previous twelve months. Doing so results in gratitude bubbling up inside me that dissolves any heart barriers that I put up over the course of the year when things didn’t go so well. (Because there’s always some of that too.)
Once the heart armor is gone, I’m prepared to explore the disappointments and heartaches I wasn’t able to fully process at the time they were experienced, Then I write each of those challenging incidents down on slivers of paper and allow the candle flame to devour them one by one, as I bless and set them free.
I wrap up this new year’s ritual by expressing appreciation for all the forms and expressions of love that joined me in the ceremony. Then I write about the experiences I welcome having in the new year that I intend will further evolve my consciousness and result in blessings to the world.
I’ve been enjoying this ritual each New Year’s Eve for over two decades. I’ve found it results in feeling renewed, with my heart wide-open and eager for the adventures to come.
Whatever way you greet 2023, may the past be released that no longer serves, and the year ahead be filled with an abundance of reasons for gratitude fests. Happiest blessings to you and yours this new year!
About Open Windows
We, the authors of this blog, dedicate it to the transparent exploration of the world's sacred scripture and enlightened spiritual thought. We believe that the original inspiration of all faiths comes from a common source, named and revered in a myriad of ways. With that understanding, the innumerable symbols, beliefs, and practices of faith cease to divide. They become open windows to a common reality that inspires and unifies us. We find deeper insight and nourishment in our own faith and from the expression of faith from others.
We hope these weekly quotations and meditations speak to your heart and soul.
HI Terri and Joel, Thank you BOTH for your inspiring messages. Yes, I am with you in not only welcoming the new but also releasing the old … May the fresh spirit of the now – the new — the pristine air of spirit – bring forth the perpetual new through my consciousness. I am with you in not letting resolutions and rituals be what defines the new year but rather in being undefined so that the spontaneous fresh air of spirit may come forth day in and day out. THANK YOU, TERRI AND JOEL! Warmly, Tom
What a wonderful way you have, Terri, of welcoming in the new year. For me, even though 2023 is not a “leap year,” I recall and honor a verse from the Bible: “Behold, he cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping upon the hills.”
Thank you Terri!
I thoroughly enjoy all of your ‘Open Window’ blogs!
What a great way to end and begin the yearly cycle; consciously, wise, deliberate.
I shall create space for a similar ritual!
Blessings,
Adelin
Over two decades. Wow that’s dedication. No wonder you’re so enlightened!
I thank you all for reading and for your comments. It’s lovely to hear from you! And Michael, I view enlightenment as an ongoing process. In my experience, there are layers upon layers to peel away to bring union to our human experience. Quite the adventure, for sure! And for me, it has been so helpful to have the bigger picture–the perspective of heaven–to support that evolutionary process
Terri I love this – I have gotten out of my decades long practice of doing just what you describe – thank you – you helped me get back on the Track of Awareness!!!!