New Year's Day, 2017, and Kwanzaa, Day Seven

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. 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.

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 trust and abide in the reality of the moment more than in my hopes and expectations, I can receive the riches that lie hidden within my most challenging experiences- the gifts of compassion, self-awareness, creativity, wisdom, patience, love, strength of character, and integrity.

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, it’s good to 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:
What GREAT things do I want to accomplish this year?
How will I serve people?
What is the mystery that I want to express? 
What is the shadowy and bright life inside me that I need to create?

From my journal: I feel a great big push from behind, and the words "get active!". Still trying to figure out what that means for me, but I am convinced that shy people have a role in changing this world, and this is my year to do it.

2. Ceremony:
I light all the candles today, 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!

3. Set the Tone for the New Year:

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.

• I will try to be especially aware of my mood today, act loving and empathetic to everyone, and give attention to each conversation and experience.
• This is Potluck Sunday at my Meeting, so I'll see most of my friends today, and share food.
• When I get home, I'm going to take a long bubble bath, with a cup of tea, and read a good book, to encourage  my year to be restful and quiet.

4. Finish my Intentions Poster:

Clockwise from top left: Synergy, depth, stillness, strength, abundance, integrity, receptivity, joy.
And balance is in the center.

I've been working all week on setting my goals for 2017 (I'm big on goals). Now I will finish making my big poster.

Supplies: Foam core, oil or aqua crayons, paper, scissors, glue stick

I use the same black foam core board every year, and just remove the pictures that I no longer need. My board is divided into nine sections, like the guas in feng shui... it's odd, but it works for me!

I get most of my pictures of the Internet, add my own words, cut and paste, and there it is.





5. Eat Hoppin' John: 
I made a big pot of black-eyed peas and kale, and it's delicious!

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 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. The more you eat the larger your fortune in the coming year!