Making space in the new year.

During the two days of New Years celebration the acronym DWYSYWD (Do What You Say You Will Do) rings especially true. We are prone to reviewing the past year and acknowledging commitments dropped, expectations unmet and best intentions unfulfilled. We vow all to often to do things differently in the year to come. We establish New Year’s resolutions to test our resolve to do more-of-this or less-of-that with re-energized commitment to change and follow through. In other words, we add to our “to-do” or “should” lists.

I made a commitment to end the old year and begin the new one practicing the behaviors I want to fill my life. These included time with my family and friends, time reading and reflecting, and time on my yoga mat. It was during a yoga practice that I gained a useful insight I hope will help with DWYSYWD consistency. The person leading my yoga practice on New Year’s Eve challenged us to focus on what we might be able to let go of to make more space in our lives for the commitments and changes we desired. She made an analogy to our attics; limited spaces that we tend to cram full of things with the intention of dealing with them later. Eventually, we run out of space.
There is no room for anything new and limited access to what me might find useful.

Despite our earnest commitment to change at years end, we make it REALLY difficult to honor that commitment. We just keep piling on the “shoulds”. Wouldn’t it be easier if we could first make room for change by letting some things go?  Instead of plunging into the new year with newfound determination to drive change in our lives, wouldn’t it be great if there was a natural place, newfound space for that new behavior? It’s been interesting and fun looking at the blank page of the new year this way. By letting things go and clearing some space in my heart and mind, “doing what I say I will do” feels like a natural step, not a potential misstep to worry about.

Happy New Year everyone. Happy house cleaning.   
Posted by.
Beth High

Comments

[ivan choria]

mr. high tells us what dwysywd stands for but does not say which us president engraved the acronym on his desk. probably roosevelt (teddy, of course, not the psychopath).