By Tamsin Thoren

“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”
~ Seneca – Roman Philosopher

I have a very simple ritual that I have practiced each New Year for several years. I write down my intentions for the coming year; yes, it’s that simple. I include other practices and ceremony along with and surrounding this ritual. The core of the practice, however, is the writing down of intentions. Those intentions chart out a roadmap for my heart and soul that will guide my actions throughout the coming year. I share this practice with my partner and we support each other in holding space for realization of each other’s unfolding.

The intentions may include short-term goals or long-term goals that may not be completed in the coming year. They may be simple little things like drinking enough water or they may be grand goals like completing a training or opening a business. Perhaps the intentions are quite concrete, as in the examples given, or perhaps they are intangible intentions like opening up to more love, finding balance, or discovering greater peace. Whatever is in my heart, whatever comes up as I write my list of intentions is always perfect.

Before I write my intentions, I make the space to become clear, to allow something greater than myself to drop in and offer inspiration. Perhaps I’ll do a deep clean on my house or fix something that needs repair. I use the cleaning and repair process as a moving meditation and let it be a reflection of some part of myself. I usually retreat into nature for a few days, away from the sights and sounds of my everyday life and give my body the gift of a year-end cleanse. If I don’t have the time or space to get away, I’ll take a yoga class and/or meditate with the intention of allowing my heart to sing forth it’s deepest desires for the future. I always choose beautiful paper and good quality pens to make the practice more enjoyable and special.

I return to my list of intentions throughout the year; it can be like an anchor that connects me to hopes and dreams. In those moments when I may wonder why I am working so hard on something or making sacrifices in an area of my life, my list of intentions reminds me of the destination I am approaching. It can also be a time of reflection in which I realize my intentions have changed and I no longer wish to continue on a particular path. I may add to the list or I may cross off items that have been completed or are no longer relevant.

Sometime around the Winter Solstice I will again contemplate that year’s list. I reflect upon my accomplishments; give thanks for the blessings, guidance, and support I have received in bringing my intentions to fruition; and reflect upon those things that I am still working on. I write those intentions that I wish to carry over onto the new list for the coming year, and on New Year’s Eve, before creating my new list of intentions, I burn last year’s list to signify the end of one cycle.

There is something so powerful in this simple act of reflection and writing out my intentions. I honor and release the past, become rooted in the present, and create a road map for the future. The burning of last year’s list feels like a clean break, a fresh start; it is sort of like rebooting my internal computer. I let go of the past year and become focused on new goals. It is a recognition of the cycles of the natural world that continue endlessly whether or not we take notice. One more revolution around the sun as we move with the Earth in it’s never ending journey.

May your new year be filled with love, joy, peace, and blessings beyond your wildest dreams.