January gets its name from Janus, the two-faced Roman God of gates and doorways; it's 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 Creator 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
Agenda for today:1. Kwanzaa principles
2. Christmas retreat
3. Truth reading
4. Spiritual goals for 2022
5. Set the tone for the New Year
6. Eat Hoppin' John
6. 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. Christmas retreat:
I'm continuing my 12 Days of Christmas mini-retreat even while visiting family - I get up early and read and write a bit before anyone else (except my Mom and her cats) is up.
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 hidden seeds germinate secretly in the ground. In winter I sit inside the darkness (a cloak of comfort, or frosty blanket of snow), in a place where thoughts have no words, and the child is desired but not yet conceived.
Consider two things this month:
- How can I know myself better? What particular aspect of myself do I want to give attention to?
- And how can I create a comfortable level of Light in the dark?
How do I define and give form to my spiritual path? How is my spiritual path walked in my daily life? Do I spend time in expectant waiting, listening for the promptings of Divine Spirit? Am I open to new Light? Do I wait patiently for Divine guidance?
Where is my path leading me this month? What is foggy and what is clear? What are the obstacles I can see? What seeds are planted that are taking root in the stillness of this winter? What is the over-arching theme for the year and for the month?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?
3. Truth reading:
Your spirit is not your brain and it's not your emotions; it's your Better Self, or moral compass, and your Essential Self - the part of you that longs for purpose. Your Better Self allows you to be responsible and honorable, and to reach beyond selfishness in order to serve others.
But your soul is also your Essential Self, which thrives on understanding your purpose and intentions. It’s like a rheostat of consciousness: As your level of awareness grows you are lit up ever more brightly, and can see and understand aspects of yourself and the universe more clearly.
Spiritual growth goals might have to do with awareness and clarity, virtue, understanding my purpose, and opening to a higher power.
My spiritual growth goals for 2022 are:
- Delve into and share a deeper Earth Quaker understanding.
- Model and teach self-transcendence rather that self-fulfillment.
- Practice daily earth devotions, journaling, listening worship, and awareness walks.
- Practice virtue habits with a virtue chart: patience, attention, flexibility, respect, integrity.
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.
Setting the tone for the year:
- I'll start the day by reading from "A Quaker Book of Wisdom" by Robert Lawrence Smith, to mark my intention to grow in wisdom.
- I'll try to be especially aware of my mood today, act loving and empathetic to everyone, and manage my quirks.
- I will take a long walk in the snow, to honor my resolution to connect to the wonders of nature.
- When I get home from my walk, I'm going to play games with my family to model a year that is restful and fun.
6. 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.
Make this recipe every year from the leftover Christmas ham bone; but I'll make it in a few days, when I'm home from traveling.
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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