Wendy, Oakland, CA,Canon Rebel XTI

The new year is always an exciting time for me. I love wiping the slate clean, buying a new calendar and beginning again. It is such a ripe time for ritual, so if you you would like to join me in one, I would like to invite you to be part of Mondo Beyondo 2008…

The surest way to start fresh and move forward is to be at peace with what came before. You might have had an incredible year, a dull year, or a truly difficult year. Whatever happened, your aim is to celebrate what there is to celebrate about it and grieve what there is to grieve…

Are you with me people?

My challenge for you is to answer the following questions and declare 2007 complete. Rituals can often be even more powerful when others can witness you. You are welcome to do this exercise privately, but I suggest sharing with a friend and/or posting your lists here. You are in good, safe company. (Feel free to post anonymously)

1. What do you want to acknowledge yourself for in regard to 2007?
(What did you create? What challenges did you face with courage and strength? What promises did you keep to yourself? What brave choices did you make? What are you proud of?)

2. What is there to grieve about 2007?
(What was disappointing? What was scary? What was hard? What can you forgive yourself for?)

3. What else do you need to say about the year to declare it complete?

Okay, the next step is to say out loud, “I declare 2007 complete!” How do you feel? If you don’t feel quite right, there might be one more thing to say…

The final step is to consider your primary focus for the year to come. What is your primary intention or theme for 2008? Is it the year of joy? the year of self-care? the year of partnership?
Stand up and say it proud, “2008 is my year of….”

(Mondo Beyondo Part Two: Where are you going? is coming soon)
“The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be the beginning.” -George Baker