New Year, New Month, New Day… All New Beginnings

The first month of 2014 is drawing to a close and I find myself a little behind on my New Year’s resolutions. I don't really take resolutions too seriously since I work throughout the year to be the best version of myself, but I did plan on blogging more and sending out newsletters the first week of each month. Yet here I am at the end of January with my first update of the year. The good news is that it's never too late to get on track. Every day is a new beginning, and NOW, this moment, is always a good time to start anew.

I’ve always felt that the New Year really starts for me on February 1^st anyway – my birthday. The last thing I want to think about over the holidays (while I'm indulging in too much food and drink) is what I need to improve upon. That can be depressing and diminish the joy of living in the moment. I’ve found that I’m better off using the month of January to really reflect on the year that has passed and what I want to accomplish in the year ahead, and how I can realistically bring those goals and intentions to fruition. And it just so happens this year that my birthday also coincides with two other significant events: the New Moon on January 30^th and the Chinese New Year on January 31^st.  

The New Moon is said to be a magical time of beginnings, when you can recharge goals or set new ones. The New Moon on January 30^th is also special because it is the second New Moon in one month, also referred to as the Black Moon, and is deemed to be especially powerful. The Chinese New Year begins January 31^st with the year of the Horse, which is expected to bring health and prosperity according to the Chinese Zodiac. What more can I ask for than a new year of life to learn and grow preceded by a magical New Moon and blessings of health and prosperity entering via the Horse??

While this tri-fector of events is inspiring and enchanting, I realize that even with a fresh start of new intentions I may very well be struggling to create another blog post and get a newsletter out before the end of February, and that's okay. It's important to set goals for ourselves, but it's equally important to realize that a mis-step or fall is not the end of the road. Every day is a new beginning and an opportunity to be better than we were the day before. The sun will continue to rise and set, the moon will wax and wane, the tide will ebb and flow, and we will continue along our life path. 

After my January reflection, I've decided that my intention for the new year will be the same as always. I will work to live fully and happily in each moment. I will give gratitude for my accomplishments and for my failures, for both will teach me lessons and help me grow. I will greet each morning with a smile and welcome the light of a new day, a fresh start paved with good intentions.