This past week I have been lying low - limiting my contact with people, technology and work - a "mini-retreat". While not a traditional "retreat" that I have done in the past-filled with meditation, walking, and silence; this week I have been honoring what the stillness of each day has brought into my consciousness.  I have not attempted to "try" to be conscious each moment; for me that would be a useless and unattainable aspiration.   Rather I have allowed myself the privilege of not needing to accomplish or do anything!  In allowing this, grace has flowed into my life.  I have connected to a different capacity to listen to the quiet messages that my body, mind and spirit have spoken.   I have noticed resistance, longing, excitement, sadness, joy, tiredness, stagnation, desire and the tug of my ego to revert to my automatic responses as life unfolds.   I have had time to reflect on the past year, and time to think about next year.  I have acknowledged my successes and noted my disappointments, I have reflected on how I have served others, and have I have missed the mark in relationships and interactions.  All of which has led me to a list of resolutions I could commit to in the upcoming year. 

In the stillness of the morning, sitting and watching the fire, with my hot cup of coffee and my cats curled up beside me, I began to think about my list and chuckled a bit, which led to a big belly laugh.  You see, the list I had created, while "doable" in small parts, combined together would be a reflection of "the perfect person" in my minds eye.   It was a recipe for disaster of body, mind and spirit.  It offered no possibility for compassion, human frailty or error.  So I put it into the fire and watching it burn came up with one simple New Years resolution:

I will try to live each day being "the best version of myself"; forgiving myself and others, and asking others for forgiveness, when human imperfections and frailties lead to pain and suffering.  

I wish you all a warm, safe and loving New Year.