Kwanzaa Day 7 and New Year's Day

Today is the first day of a new year in my part of the world. I celebrate many beginnings throughout my year, but January 1 has emotional importance because it’s the New Year of my childhood.

The seventh and final day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to the principle of Imani (ee-MAH-nee), which is faith. On this first day of the New Year, I have faith in my ability to find unity and peace, and live with love and integrity. I also have faith that my people will do the best we can, and we will succeed in our struggle to create a just and beautiful world. And I have faith in the Spirit, that it will be open for me, and will sustain and guide me.

Agenda for today:
1. Journal queries

2. Kwanzaa ceremony
3. Set the tone for the New Year
4. Eat Hoppin' John

1. Journal queries:
January gets its name from Janus, the two-faced Roman God of gates and doorways. January is a month to look back with reflection and forward with hope. I stand at the doorway of this coming year with my mind open and curious, without fear or judgment, and with only mild expectations for the gifts that the year will deliver.

As I stand here, I remember that not all gifts are rosy. I thank the Spirit for the shadows and mysteries, and potent gifts of sadness. When I live in the reality of the moment more than in my hopes and expectations, I can receive the riches that are hidden within my most challenging experiences- the gifts of compassion, self-awareness, creativity, wisdom, patience, love, strength of character, and integrity.

What GREAT things did I accomplish last year, and what GREAT things do I want to accomplish this year?

2. Kwanzaa ceremony:

I light the black candle and the blue again, for the people, saying this affirmation:

I will work in unity with those within and without my circle.

Then I light the inside red candle, saying-

I will define myself, create for myself, and speak for myself. I will accomplish my dreams for the future.

and the inside green candle, saying-

I will help my family and community solve problems by working cooperatively.

and another red candle, saying-

I will be generous with my resources, and have integrity with my buying habits.

and another green candle, saying-

I have great hope, and a reason for everything I do. I will set goals that add to the good and beauty of the world. 

and the last red candle, saying this affirmation-

I will use my creative talents and energies to aid young minds and hearts, and make my home and community more beautiful and vibrant.

and the last green candle, and say this affirmation- 

I believe with all my heart and mind in the Spirit that guides me, in myself and my people, and in the good of the work I do with and for the community. With faith, anything is possible!

5. Set the Tone for the New Year:

New Year’s Day is a chance to start fresh, with a clean slate: How I act and what I do today sets the tone for all the days that follow.

Tradition says, on New Year’s Day- be nice to each other and never punish children; wear your best clothing, and don’t work too hard. Many cultures also have a custom of visiting friends and relatives early in the New Year to share food and strengthen their bonds- and this year, we are leaving on the train to visit family for a few days!

Setting the tone for the year:

• Since I'll be stuck on the train for several hours I'll start the day with some peppy dance exercises, to mark my resolution to MOVE every day.
• I'll be especially aware of my mood today, act loving and empathetic to everyone, and give attention to each conversation and experience.
• I'll take time on the train to read my new book "The Daily Stoic", by Ryan Holiday, to start the year with some philosophical wisdom!
• Also, I've packed my sketchbook so I can start the year with some art!
• When we get to our destination, I'm going to relax with a cup of tea, and play a game- to encourage  my year to be restful and fun.

6. Eat Hoppin' John: 

In many places legumes (beans, peas, lentils) and cooked greens (cabbage, collards, kale, or chard) are consumed at New Year's because they are symbolic of money; legumes resemble coins, and greens look like folded money. This delicious recipe comes from the American south.

Since we will be out of town today, we had Hoppin' John last night for dinner!

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 c. dried black-eyed peas
• 1 ham bone
• 2 stalks of celery
• 1 onion
• 1 green pepper
• 1 large carrot 
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1-2 c. cooked ham, cubed
• 3 Tbsp. vegetable oil
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tsp. fresh or dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp. crushed red chili pepper flakes
• salt to taste
• 6-10 leaves of kale, collards, or beet greens

Yield: Serves 6 to 8-

1- Place black-eyed peas in a large soup pot over medium-high heat with the ham bone; cover with cold water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until peas are tender, about 45 minutes.

2- Meanwhile, dice the celery, onion, green pepper, carrot and jalapeno. Mince the garlic. Stem and chop the greens. Cube the ham.

3- Heat oil in a heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add ham, diced vegetables (but not the greens), red chilies, thyme, and bay leaf and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 8 minutes.

4- Add black-eyed peas along with 2 c. of the cooking liquid (add more or less as desired), and the greens. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until greens are tender, about 1 hour.

5- Remove the bay leaf. Add salt to taste. Serve with cornbread or biscuits. The more you eat the larger your fortune in the coming year!