For the first time since 2005, I did not attend a New Year’s Eve Intention Setting Ceremony. Intellectually I knew it was happening, or not happening so-to-speak, but I don’t know if there was a lot of emotion around it. I’ve been reflecting over the last week that time is an artificial construct and the only reason 2019 is different from 2018 is because we say it is. We create containers to keep things in and determine whether a year, a month or a day is good or bad depending on our expectations or how it turns out. If 2018 sucked, we can only hope for better in 2019.
That being said, it is helpful to have these markers which give us time to pause and reflect, just as I’ve been doing. It’s also helpful to evaluate our intentions and ask how we can create some that are meaningful. I find it’s good to see where we create our own discomfort. Have I been stuck in a loop that causes me worry or doubt? Can I see where I’m attached to an outcome or have let fear take over? It’s not that we don’t experience difficult emotions. Hell, we all do because life is messy. We experience loss, grief, sadness, anger as well as joy, happiness and equanimity. What we want to do is differentiate between the two. The Buddha taught the lesson of the Second Arrow. There is the pain of being a human being, the first arrow, and then there is the second arrow, and third, and forth and so on. These are levels of discomfort we cause ourselves because we can’t let go of whatever it is we’re holding on to. Taking stock of where we’re stuck is vital. Can we take each moment as it comes, whatever it is?
So, I didn’t do an intention setting on New Year’s Eve, but I hung out with my husband and played with our new kitties and had a lovely evening. My mind tried to ascribe meaning to it, but there really wasn’t any there. I do have the chance to sit with some folks over the next few days and reflect and set intentions. If I have any words of wisdom around this, I would say that intentions should always be held in a container of kindness and compassion, to ourselves and to all beings. May you be at peace. I love you.
Another wonderful message that really resonates with me. We all have our own approaches towards the New Year, but you have shared some heartfelt words that allow for some “tweaking” of what we may have already created or imposed as we move forward. I love a good adjustment to something that has been created by me – never hurts and always welcome! I will use the concept of the “container” of kindness and compassion, instead of that ego-driven wish to accomplish and succeed. A great trade-off! Thanks for the wisdom, as always, Mary.