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 hope 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.
Agenda for today:
1. Kwanzaa principles
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.
Agenda for today:1. Kwanzaa principles
2. January journal queries
3. 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 - this year we will have none of that, but I will visit friends on zoom and phone.
Setting the tone for the year:
3. Set the tone for the New Year
4. Eat Hoppin' John
4. Eat Hoppin' John
1. Kwanzaa principles:
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, we have faith in our ability to find unity and peace, and live with love and integrity.2. January journal queries:
January is the first full month of winter, a time when everything is shrouded in mystery - the sky is gray, trees hold their buds tightly closed, and seeds germinate secretly in the ground. Time moves slowly in the winter. I have time to rest, read, study, dream dreams, and practice being still.
What new beginnings am I looking for? What am I casting off?
Where is my path leading me this month? What is foggy and what is clear? What are the obstacles I can see?
What difficult feelings or moods do I struggle with repeatedly in my life? What are the attitudes or actions that flow from them? What one aspect of my personality do I want to understand better this month?
What seeds are planted that are taking root in the stillness of this winter? What is the over-arching theme for the month?
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 - this year we will have none of that, but I will visit friends on zoom and phone.
Setting the tone for the year:
- Put the Greek Delphic injunction on my altar - Gnothi Seauton - Know Thyself. Add a grey candle for objectivity and release, an unbiased color useful for pondering complex issues or neutralizing bad feelings.
- I'll start the day by reading from my anti-racism book, to mark my intention to grow in understanding.
- I'll try to be especially aware of my mood today, act loving and empathetic to everyone, and pay attention to good advise.
- I'm going to put on nice clothes, brush my hair, and act like I have people to see today.
- I will take a long walk in the rain, to honor my resolution to move more every day, and to connect to the wonders of nature.
- When I get home from my walk, I'm going to cuddle up with my grand-baby and play rhyming games, to encourage my year to be restful and fun.
4. Eat Hoppin' John:
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.
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.
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.
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