The final days of 2016 are here and the first day of 2017 is quickly arriving! For many, they begin thinking about how to do ‘things’ better than last year. The old year is ending and the new one beginning! It’s time for resolutions! Well, instead of New Year’s Resolutions this year, I am setting an intention for an ending and a beginning.
I am ending my fear of not being enough, and I am beginning a new way of recognizing, acknowledging and being in my power! (Wow! as I type that, what comes up for me is “that is a TALL order!” – both scary and exciting at the same time!)
It is exciting to think about what the possibilities are of being more than I have been, of seeing who I am at a deeper level, living from that, and in doing so positively impact the world around me. As with all endings and beginnings, letting go of what is familiar and stepping into the unknown is frightening! Recognizing this and being open and willing to ask for support along the way are necessary pieces in the journey. For it is a journey – it is not simply stopping one and doing the other – it takes commitment and becomes a daily practice.
As I think of this intention, my recent hike on the Inca Trail to the ruins of Machu Picchu, Peru comes to mind as a metaphor. The trip was 4 days, 3 nights through the Andes Mountains covering 27 miles of changing environments, terrain and altitude. The air was thinner than we were used to which affected breathing. The trail was seldom flat, mostly steep uphill or dauntingly steep downhill, all over uneven steps, rocks or roots. At times it was brutally hot and dry, and at other times chillingly damp. Always with those seemingly never-ending steps up or endless steps down. We had our walking sticks to lean on that were indispensable for going down hill. We had our incredible guide who believed in and encouraged us all the way. We had plenty of water to keep us hydrated. And we had each other. When it seemed extra tough, we bolstered each other by singing a trail song we’d made up – “One foot in front of the other, One step and then another….”
I was challenged and I loved every minute of it! If I had not taken this on I would never have seen these particular spectacular views, been surrounded by mountains on all sides, nor have had the opportunity to look back in awe at how far we had hiked up or down. I would never have had the joy of climbing through the clouds to be and see above them. Nor would I have seen the beautiful ruins along the trail, been awe-inspired by the incredible engineering feats of those who designed and constructed the trails, walls supporting the trails, drainage systems, and buildings. The experience of beauty was unparalleled. The sense of accomplishment so satisfying. The realization of what my body can and did do exhilarating.
As I think about my intention – my journey – for 2017, there is excitement, trepidation and lots of questions. Can I really do this? What if I slip up? What does this really mean? How can I do this? What I do know is I do not have to go it alone. I have several ‘walking sticks’ to support me along the way – my incredible husband and children, friends and colleagues, mentors and teachers, my own inner knowing, and Source. Will it be a challenge? Yes. The thought of what is possible makes it worth taking on. So, just like my hike through the Andes, as I put one foot in front of the other, my intention of an ending and a beginning is put in motion. And as I take one step and then another, my journey will progress towards unknown spectacular, incredible or awe-inspiring potentials!
So as 2016 winds down and 2017 arrives, I offer you a challenge. What are you ‘ending’ and what are you ‘beginning?’ If like me you feel both scared and excited at the same time, remember these two things: there is support all around you and you only need to put one foot in front of the other, take one step at a time and then another!
Wishing you a Happy, Healthy, Awe-filled New Year!
Pamela