|
Resolutions... Goals.... Aspirations..... According to some Eastern philosophies, Late Summer starts at the end of January, Late Summer is both the shortest Season of the year, and is at the centre of the Seasonal Year. It is the time of balance and harmony, when the balancing between the Yin and Yang energy occurs, and the Feminine and Masculine energies harmonise... this means that there is a neutral aspect to the energy of Nature which allows a time for us to find balance and harmony within, creating a space for contemplation and reflection. A synopsis of the Seasonal year, clearly illustrates how important and beneficial Spring - is the Change and shifting from the contemplative energy of Winter to the active energy of Summer - the time for Creative Ideas, Fresh Growth and Different Perspectives! [ Read More ] Summer - is the time of Active Energy and Outward Focus and Direction. It is the time to work hard, being both creative and productive in our pursuits. Summer is the time to work towards achieving our dreams and fulfilling our hearts desire.... [ Read More ] Late Summer - is the time for the Contemplating of our Resolutions, the Reflection of our Goals and the highlighting of our Aspirations. It is also the time for Celebrating with gratitude and appreciation..... [ Read More ] Autumn - is the Change and shifting from the active energy of Summer to the contemplative energy of Winter..... the time to shift our focus and attention from outward to inward..... [ Read More ] Winter - is the time for Contemplative energy with our focus and attention directed inwards. It is also the time to complete unfinished projects and clear from our life, that which no longer serves us.... [ Read More ] When the ebb and flow of the Seasonal Year is followed, then a balance and harmony occurs in our life, leaving enough time for everything to be accomplished and achieved. Although at times, the hectic pace of Summer and the stress of modern day living, can fill our lives and overflow through the entire course of the year - to the extent that resolutions become synonymous with failure, goals become another word for imprisonment and aspirations - just forgotten dreams of youth.... Yet, I believe it’s important to make resolutions, despite how many times we might have failed before, or even because we have previously failed in our efforts to resolve certain issues that concern us. I know it’s important to have goals, something to work towards, something to aim for, something to strive towards. And what of aspirations..... The challenge to making Resolutions, working towards a Goal and having Aspirations is getting the ‘timing’ of these dynamics right. Knowing yourself, understanding your life and having empathy with the rhythm of all that you influence and that influences you, like your relationships, are other important aspects. Then, preparation is a fundamental factor: the preparation you do before making a resolution, the planning of your goals - the step by step process you will follow to attain your goal, and the asking of the right questions and having the answers to the What, When, How, Where, Who and Why you aspire to certain ideals. Since Spring is the start of the Seasonal New Year, it’s also a much better time to make resolutions and set your goals - Summer being the time to follow steps and work towards successfully achieving your endeavours.... however, changing your mindset and getting a different perspective on the ‘timing’ for your ‘Resolutions’ and setting your ‘Goals’ might be challenging, as ‘Spring Resolutions’ just lacks the clout and the commercial focus that ‘New Years Resolutions’ has in the media of today! Having said that, your willingness to look at your ‘Resolutions’ and ‘Goals’ from a different perspective and at a different “Time” of the year (without all the media hype that goes with it ;o), might just be the right indication of how serious you are about what you want and what you are willing to DO.... to achieve what you want. Whether you set your goals in Spring, or the start of Summer, or even if you left your Resolutions for the 1st of January - New Year (and then tried your best to forget about them on the morning after ;o)... Taking time in Late Summer to Contemplate your Resolutions and Reflect on your Goals, can give you clarity of mind and bring you deeper awareness as to what your Aspirations are, allowing you to connect with a deeper sense of who you are and what you want. |
|
Taking Time and Creating the Space for Contemplation and Reflection! However busy your life may be and chaotic your schedule, make a date with yourself during Late Summer for ‘Contemplation and Reflection of your Resolutions and Goals’. This should be a time when you have no pressing commitments, and when you can isolate yourself from the ‘world’ so to speak. When you can turn your cellphone off and turn the voicemail and answering machine on. If you can, find a place in nature, or your garden, or in your home where you are the most comfortable and where you will be undisturbed - open the windows to let in the fresh air and play gentle relaxing music. Allow at least an hour for yourself. First, consider what words mean to you, specifically words like ‘Resolutions, Goals or Aspirations’. Words are an important aspect of our modern day living and the means with which we communicate - yet many words can have negative emotions and conditioning attached to them, specifically certain words for some of us, simply because of our own life experiences and imprinting, so first choose a word you are comfortable with. If the word ‘Goals’ has an emotional feeling of imprisonment and restriction - then choose a different word. If ‘Resolutions’ holds a sense of failure and lack of commitment - simply choose another word, something you are comfortable with. A word that works for you! Here are some examples: Resolutions, Goals, Aims, Ambitions, Objectives, Hopes, Desires, Wants, Wishes, Dreams, Aspirations, Purpose! Choose a word that fills you with positive emotions and feelings! Then try the following relaxation and breathing exercise.... Place both feet flat on the floor or ground and let out a long slow breath. Imagine that the stress and anxiety that you feel pressing down on your like a heavy burden is draining through your body into the ground through the soles of your feet. Then slowly place your right hand on your heart and your left hand over your tummy. Breathe in slowly and deeply and silently think to yourself: ‘I am calm, relaxed and present.’ Repeat the affirmation as you breathe out slowly. Repeat the exercise very slowly five more times. Each time you breath in and breath out do so more slowly. Stretch the exercise to last for four or five minutes. You will find a stillness that slows down time and allows you to listen to your heart and find a depth of purpose. Have a piece of paper ready, (yellow, orange or gold in colour - if possible ;o) and some bright colour pens. Write the word you have chosen on your page. (Resolutions, Goals, Aims, Ambitions, Objectives, Hopes, Desires, Wants, Wishes, Dreams, Aspirations, Purpose - or a word you find that works for you). Then just write what comes to mind. Single words or sentences, in straight lines or squiggled across the page. Write in a circle or upside down. Play and have fun. When you feel that you have written enough, take some time to contemplate what it means to you. Reflect on the depth of your writing. Take a few days to consider what you have written even adding to the page if you feel the need. For some people, having a ‘Resolution or Goal’ with a plan written down on a piece of paper is just too black and white and linear. For others, it works really well. At different times in life, the black and white recording of Resolutions and Goals, with a set plan of action to follow will work very effectively - specifically when it comes to resolving very logical aspects like debt, budgeting, savings, buying a new car, going on holiday or paying the bond in full. At this time of Late Summer, it’s more important to reflect and contemplate on what your Aspirations actually are, What they mean and Why they are so important to you. If reaching a certain weight is something you aspire to, now is the time to contemplate and reflect on the What, When, Where, How and Why’s? The intangibles rather than the tangible aspects.... |
|
I surprised even myself! When I first did this exercise, following the relaxation steps and writing on a piece of paper - all I managed to do was write the different words above (Resolutions, Goals, Aims, Ambitions, Objectives, Hopes, Desires, Wants, Wishes, Dreams, Aspirations, Purpose) and then I decided to look up their meanings - I had fun just drawing little squiggles and adding a word here and there. Then I contemplated what the words mean to me - the emotions they evoked, the experiences I had in the past, connecting with very deep feelings and emotions. After an hour I found I had a sheet of paper with just words. Some of the words I found evoked some negative emotions and feelings, some of the words were relatively new, words I had seldom read or used before and I felt a sense of fun and wonder. I love to play with words and their meanings, and overall it was a fun and revealing experience! My sheet of paper was covered with some of the following words: Resolutions, Goals, Aims, Ambitions, Objectives, Hopes, Desires, Wants, Wishes, Dreams, Aspirations, Purpose, Passion, Time Traps, Restrictions, Limitations, Obsession, Compulsive, Perfection, Commitment, Dedication, Promise, Solution, Declaration, Targets, Aspire, Plan, Intend, Try, Endeavour, Seek, Strive, Trust, Expectations, Anticipate, Needs, Requirements, Requests....... In the process I discovered, whilst I almost always reach the Goals I set for myself, and seldom fail when I decide upon a Resolution, too often the experience has been limiting because of my own obsessive need to reach certain requirements by a certain date. This sort of compulsive behaviour can place restrictions on a person, allowing for the sacrificing of the daily enjoyment and happiness of life. I decided to hold on to my sheet of paper and consider and reflect on the words and what they meant to me. During the course of the following week, for just a few minutes each morning, I read through the words and decided to cross some of them out. These are the words I crossed out: Resolutions, Goals, Aims, Ambitions, Objectives, Time traps, Restrictions, Limitations, Obsession, Compulsive, Perfection, Commitment, Targets, Aspire, Plan, Try, Expectations, Anticipate...... These were the words that remained on my sheet of paper: Hopes, Desires, Wants, Wishes, Dreams, Aspirations, Purpose, Passion, Dedication, Promise, Solution, Declaration, Intend, Endeavour, Seek, Strive, Trust, Needs, Requirements, Requests..... Once more I made a date with myself and created a space to reflect and contemplate following the relaxation and breathing exercise. Since I am much more comfortable on the PC, then writing with a pen and paper, I opened a blank document and started to write.... the words just appearing on the screen like an affirmation straight from my heart. I found that the word ‘Aspirations’ was one that filled me with inspiration and a deep creative resonance. Every morning through Late Summer for just a few minutes each morning, I read through my Aspirations and found a deep connection with my heart and Spiritual Essence. Since I also enjoy playing with colour and pictures, I decided to create a graphic for my Aspirations, the result has inspired me daily to follow through with my Intentions! ..... continued below |
