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:
.
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speak truth through my words, writing, artwork, and actions, and lead by example.
1. Set the tone for the New Year
2. Kwanzaa principle
3
Light an imaginary candle for witness
4. Read "The Creativity Book"
5. Soyal retreat practices for witness
6. Witness brainstorm
7. First bird
8. Pre-K school plans
9. Projects for the week
1. 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.
Setting the tone for the year:
- I'll start the day by reading from "The Creativity Book" by Eric Maisel, to mark my intention to create meaning;
- I'll do some introspective journaling to mark my intention to know myself better;
- I will take time to go outside at dawn to notice and record the first bird I see, to celebrate unity with nature;
- I'll play games with my family to model a year that is restful and fun.
- And I'll take a long bath to celebrate self-care.
2. Kwanza principle:
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.
3
Light an imaginary candle for witness:
At Soyal, I review the Divine Laws, as I see them, meditate and write about my priorities, and make plans for the coming year based on guidance from the Spirits.
Today I am giving attention to my priority of witness:
To have personal or direct experience of something amazing, and then to testify, make a statement based on that personal knowledge or belief;
Today I light a green candle for Nature, and ask the Spirits to bring the rain of loving care down upon the whole world. I ask:
How can I find the courage and equanimity to speak up about the truths I want to witness to?
What are the ways I can teach and write to be a witness? How can I best use my art to witness? What life-style changes do I need to make to be a better model?
4. Read "The Creativity Book":
This year I am finally finishing this book by Eric Maisel (one of my favorite writers). The subtitle is "A Year's Worth of Inspiration and Guidance." Who doesn't want that? I'm on part 9, Be Truthful, and Week 35: Make difficulties. This section is about objecting to prevailing theories, blowing the whistle, and exposing ourselves to ridicule, in order to tell the truth.
"Life is a difficult enough affair, so why pile difficulty upon difficulty? Because the best things are also the most difficult things. Acting justly is always a difficulty, but still it's our best course."
The exercise is to invent (picture) some real difficulties for myself: Attempt an onerous project or learn a new difficult skill. Speak in public or teach a challenging class. Imagine and get a sense of what it feels like to tackle something difficult.
5. Soyal retreat practices for witness:
This Christmas I am using the Soyal Way of Being as a guide for my days; that is, I'm keeping Mother Earth in my thoughts as I move quietly and respectfully about my days, in order to establish the right mood for the coming year, and reach a unity of everything in the universe. Each day I will fit in some reading and writing, some focused walking, and some order-creation. At the end of the day I will brainstorm some goals and resolutions for 2026, based on guidance from God.
My practices today are:
- Reorder a plan for self-regulation..
- Waltz Walk in the neighborhood (using the mantra Guide-ing-Light), and use movement and mindfulness to connect to creative energy and my guiding light.
6. Witness brainstorm:
Our urge to testify comes from our experience of being propelled by God. When I am guided to witness I cannot ignore it; it feels like the only thing to do. But I need to take it slow and discern with others whether this is a true leading from God before I go out to spout off my mouth!
Once I'm clear, I need to find the ways to bear witness that are true to my Spirit: I write about it, I create art, I teach classes, and I speak up.
In the Bible, “bearing witness,” is when someone sees something important or amazing, and then begins to share what they’ve seen. Quakers call it testimony - the public witness of an inward faith; the consequence of one’s relationship to God and the outworking of that relationship in one’s life. Friends have always believed that what was most important was how you live your faith in the world.
I want to be a witness this year to my understanding and experience of unity with nature, to a simple life, to a new perspective about pretty much everything; to hope and love. And I want to be an inspirational witness. I want to grow as a witness, with all my abilities and talents.
My ideas for witness so far:
- Make a plan for teaching this winter and spring, to my grandsons and others.
- Study and learn how to better voice my values and beliefs, and how to be inspirational with speaking and writing.
- Plan some art and craftivism projects that might inspire the passion for change that I feel.
- Keep a New Narrative Journal, to record the many ways I hope to shift my perspective, and how to release the clenched fist of defensiveness.
- Create a book pamphlet, and put my introduction online.
- Find ways to use my garden as testimony! - write a neighbor letter, and build a free library space.
7. First bird:
When I looked out the window at dawn this morning, I (again) saw a dark-eyed Oregon Junco, symbol of hope for change, and one born afresh with new possibilities, and also the dualities of dark and light, mystery and harmony.
My wish for the New Year is that we can change our perspective and be born afresh with possibilities for harmony, hope, and love.
8. Pre-K school plans:
I will begin my Pre-K School next week, on Tuesday through Friday; Today I will choose next themes, brainstorm projects, and define the nature and skills goals; on the weekend I will gather books and supplies (and take time to stash away the last projects and supplies); and I will do all the prep and making samples on Monday.
Next week's theme is The New Year: Ideas-
- 3-King's cake party (and final gifts)
- First writing project
- Winter nature tray collection
- Distaff Day spinning yarn (process art)
- Drawing and legos
- Make a calendar with our own ideas for holidays
9. Projects for the week:
Each week on Thursday I plan the projects I will work on in the next week - one or two kid projects, and one or two Unicorn projects (those that feed ME). This next week I will:
- Design a winter nature drawing mindfulness activity
- First Writing for Kakizome Day
- Finish a Worry Monster
- Spinning!
Doing the smallest thing is a great way to make courageous creative work less frightening; also finding the "minimum effective dose", the amount of work that keeps me challenged and joyful, and if I keep at it will get me to the finish line on time.
Today I will list specific goals for each day's creative projects, put them on my calendar, also itemize the supplies and preparation steps.
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