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D'vorahDavida
Yetzirah

Cycles
Tue Dec 25 2012

In a few days, it will be a New Year. Of course being Jewish, I've already had a new year in September, so I find myself in the happy position of having a 'do over' new year in a few days. I could use a nice 'do over' at this point. I really could. What does it mean though, really? A new year. I suppose we could get all literal and say it's just another day on the calendar. We still have to pay our rent, buy gas for the car, scoop the dog poop from the back yard, and pay our taxes. (What? no room on that list for something nice, like hot chocolate?) Okay, and drink our hot chocolate. (Thank you.) But just as the earth goes through the heavens in cycles, we do too. We have just passed through an astronomical doorway I'm told, in a very long cycle. I think it's so sad that everyone kept saying things about the Mayan calendar that were sensational or trivial or just plain stupid. Now I don't think the Mayans had a corner on wisdom or prophecy, but our popular society sure has a corner on trivializing possibly profound information. Anyway, my point is that the new year, really IS a real thing. We are whirling through space in a different place than we were last year. Maybe not in relationship to our Sun, but in relationship to the galaxy, I'm sure we have changed positions in some way beyond my ken. And to me, it means things can change. Hopefully not EVERYTHING, but something. Though I must say, the idea of EVERYTHING changing is a rather exiting one. If you want to get all mystical about it. Which we won't. Dr. Rubber Duckie is all over me these days with staying grounded and centered. He's such a prude that way. Dr. RD: I heard that. Sotto voice: Shhhh, let's go in the other room…. As I was SAYING, some things can change. And WE can change them. Right this minute, I don't know what I'm going to change. I'm trying to just make my way through these uncertain days without giving in to despair. But sometime soon, I'm hoping to find a place of calm serenity where I can take a good long look at what the next phase of my life looks like. And the fact that it's going to be a new year, bodes well for new beginnings. I have a friend who sets herself goals every year. She sets aside some time in January and takes stock, and makes a LIST.  Her list contains big things and small ones. Onerous things and pleasant things. Her list is usually pretty long. It scares the socks off me just to look at her list. And up until now, I've been afraid to even THINK about making such a list myself. But I'm thinking about it today, before the new year gets a jump on my rather befuddled psyche. I'm trying to gear up for some major introspection. I MIGHT make a list. Though I don't want to call it a 'bucket list'. It's not in my plan to kick any buckets. I'll have to think of some other name for it. (This naming thing could take a long time. You agonize over it in a most unhealthy manner. You SUCK at naming things.) Thank you for reminding me of ALL my shortcomings. (Just doing my job.) Yes, I suppose you are. And I'm going to do mine and end this entry so you can have the evening off. (Swee  . . .    
5 Comments
  • From:
    FutureCat (Legacy)
    On:
    Tue Dec 25 2012
    I think you're right about New Years. They might not mean anything in one sense, but in another they're an important psychological marking point - a feeling that you can start fresh, reset the bad things clock, and hopefully somehow do it better this time (or give the universe a chance to do it better, maybe). I know at the end of last year, everyone around Christchurch was saying "next year has got to be a better one!" And in one sense, they were right - as of yesterday we've officially had an entire year without a damaging earthquake (YAYY!!!!), but for a lot of people this year actually felt worse than 2011, because the adrenaline has worn off now, so everyone's now just slogging through the endless mire of fighting insurance companies and the government and trying to get their lives back together. I imagine for the people of New York it'll be a similar story this year. I know for you, and many of my other friends, 2012 has had more than its fair share of the bad stuff. But hopefully as you look back over the year you can see the glimmers of good stuff hiding back there. And I sincerely wish you what I wish for everyone - that 2013 is a better one. ^ ^ 00 =+= v
  • From:
    Dancing Star (Legacy)
    On:
    Tue Dec 25 2012
    I'm still a big fan of monthly resolutions rather than yearly. Better focus, higher success rate and allows for the changes the year may spring upon you which could not have been accounted for earlier. BIG fan of lists in general though.
  • From:
    Mamallama (Legacy)
    On:
    Tue Dec 25 2012
    Very insightful post, my dear SIL. The "list" thing has some appeal, especially where my creative side is concerned. Hmmmm. Have to mull this over for a bit. Generally a good idea. :)
  • From:
    Misstick (Legacy)
    On:
    Tue Dec 25 2012
    I write my list in three steps. First - write all the the things you think you'd wish for, then ask yourself; what could be even better than that and add more things to it, expanding. do it one more time, ignore how crazy and totaly unreasonable some wishes might sound, it is your list after all, so wish big. the important thing about the list - you give your mind a task, you ask it to work out the ways of getting what you wish for and then - you trust your mind will do that. that's how your wishes come true :-) May this holiday season bring your peace and create comforts.
  • From:
    Institches (Legacy)
    On:
    Tue Dec 25 2012
    I am certain something shifted. The whole of last week felt so unsettled...... even after the 21st had come and gone. I have no idea if it bodes good or bad long term.....right now it's just different and I can't exactly explain how though I am still very unsettled. I know others felt it too because people kept saying it was a weird week........but then went on to make jokes. Part of that trivialization you spoke of is fear.....but it is also a lack of courage to meet things head on like adults. Joking around is so much easier than facing the unknown. Right now I am just grateful that, with each new day, we are gifted with another chance to set right the things we have so royally messed up. I don't typically write lists of goals, but were I to do so it would include something about courage and standing up for that which I know is right even if it meant stepping on toes. But above all it would include taking the time every day to list all the gifts I have been given by God.....to look for His grace everywhere once again. To do so is to build JOY into every day and a foundation that the world can't rock. You have already stated two worthy goals........ not giving-in to despair and finding a place of serenity. Our outward lives may look quite different, but I suspect our deep down goals are the same. Keep the list simple..........and maybe call it Grace in Action. :)