The Year of Clarity: A Meditation for a New Year
Courtesy of Unsplash. Image by Nathan Dumlao
By now you have probably read many articles, posts, reflections, and thoughts about how best to enter into a new year.
It’s no surprise that many of us find inspiration and even wonder into the newness that a new year brings. The potential for greater things, for healing, for promotion, for wholeness, and for whatever else the heart desires.
There’s not necessarily a handbook on how to maximize the new year. It’s an individual journey of introspection, intentionality, and execution. So with that being said I will share what I am focusing on in 2020, and why I’m calling this new year for myself “the year of clarity.” My hope is that maybe you will find some inspiration and advice that will be of help to you here, and if you want to join me on the journey to clarity; it would be a privilege to have you by my side.
Introspection:
”The unexamined life is not worth living.” - Socrates
For many of us, there are far too many times that we just do things because we have always done it that way, or we feel like it’s the best way, or because it’s familiar, comfortable, or safe. Yet, if we continue to live without the act of introspection, then we cease to grow and to achieve self-awareness and self-actualization. If you are going to engage with the wonder and mystery that is life itself, you might as well live it to its fullest potential. Take each day to become more mindful of why you do things a certain way, or make that particular decision, or have a specific reaction to someone or something. Continually examining your life is one way to achieve clarity of yourself.
Intentionality
“Our lives are a sum total of the choices we have made.” - Wayne Dyer
I’ve been reminded that I have so much more power than I think I do. Receiving the truth of autonomy into our lives is a powerful reality that transforms our thinking and our actions. If you can claim for yourself that you are more than you think, that you can achieve and accomplish so much more than you realize, and that the power of choice is the key to increased success; then you can begin a journey to greatness. It’s important that these truths are rooted in the reality that some of us have to work harder than others. It’s unfortunate but it’s the truth. But whatever circumstance you find yourself in, make a plan. Making small, incremental steps and choosing to do a little better for yourself each day will in time transform you into a stronger, more resilient person. Continually making good, wise choices is another way to have clarity.
Execution:
“You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through.” - Rosalynn Carter
We all can make plans, have dreams, set goals; but if we cannot follow through with those aspirations we set for ourselves, then nothing will change and nothing will be realized. This truth can sting. It would be nice if all of the things we want out of our lives somehow attracted themselves to us and it just happens, but life doesn’t work that way. Successful people I’ve read and witnessed work hard and they strive for more. They not only start what they desire but they finish it. They find satisfaction in not just visioning their goals but they find contentment in knowing that they will through determination, support, sheer willpower, knowledge, and wisdom that they will achieve those goals because they followed through. They executed a plan and met the objectives. So what are those things in your life that you have always told yourself that you wanted to accomplish or realize that have yet to come? What can you do to make those goals a reality? Continually finding determination to achieve your goals and dreams fosters clarity.
It’s 2020. It’s a new year. It’s a new decade.
I believe for you that the best is yet to come. Do you believe it for yourself and what will you do to make it happen?
Happy New Year!
- Ryan