It’s a new year. Are you getting better or standing still?

Most first week of January posts deal with goal setting or resolutions or turning over a new leaf or letting go of what no longer serves us.

I’ve written such posts in the past and you can find one of them here.

But I want to write about just one thing on this first day of January, 2014:

Are you getting better, or are you standing still?

In Mutant Message Down Under, author Marlo Morgan reported that Aborigines of Australia celebrate birthdays much differently than we do here in the west.  The birthday person will announce how they have transformed or grown in the past year so that the whole tribe can celebrate together.

If there was no improvement, there is no celebration!

What can you celebrate today?  And what do you want to celebrate a year from today?

Our growing and getting better should be the hallmark of our lives.

New Moon – New Year – New Beginning

January 1, 2014 is a new moon as well as a new year. An auspicious time for a fresh start.

Every new moon is a new beginning.  So today is doubly auspicious.

Even though time didn’t stop and the sun will rise and set just as it always has, there’s a psychological shift that takes place in going from the year 2013 on one day and being in 2014 the next.  And most people want to take advantage of it.

Ask  yourself these questions:

• Are you happier?
• Healthier?
• Less stressed?
• Working on solutions to the problems that vex you?
• Being kinder?
• More patient?
• Practicing forgiveness?

Any one of those would be a reason to celebrate. If you can’t find anything to celebrate being better at, well, a new year and a new moon just started so decide what you want to be better at and get going.

One year from now, what will you regret not having done?

Make sure the change is something YOU want, not someone else’s wish for you.

It’s so easy to get caught in a rut and do the same thing day in and day out. Don’t let that happen to you.

Find just one thing to change and take a step forward.

If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll get the same results.  Over and over and over.

What’s the solution?  Change just one thing!

Want to include meditation in your daily routine?  Wake up just 10 minutes earlier and meditate for 10 minutes.  Don’t know how?  Check out this short video.

Want to start exercising?  Again, get up 20 minutes earlier and either go outside and walk, or find a workout on youtube and exercise along.

Want to eat better? Drink fewer diet sodas and eat organic produce when you can.

Just choose one thing and remember that the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.

I’d love to hear in the comments section what you are celebrating from 2013, and what you want to be celebrating one year from now. Put the intention out there and see what happens.

And have a blessed new year!