It is fascinating how a new year begins. It all begins when two hands of a clock meet on twelve. The two hands are one; they are no longer two … and a new year presents itself to you.
The moment when two become one is also considered a moment of enlightenment; a moment when all separation ends and absolute wholeness begins. A new year is an opportunity; it’s an opportunity for you to become one with your aspirations and aims – we call them New Years Resolutions.
What are you supposed to do when you bring in a new year?
Are you to close the door on the old year?
Are you to stop clinging to old ways, and begin living fresh and new?
Are you to enter the new year with empty hands?
In the old year, winning came and losing came … pleasure came and pain came; everything came upon you and retreated in a circular motion.
And where were you?
Were you not in the center of the circle, experiencing all of it?
With 2012 coming upon you, what are you to do with 2011?
Can you clutch to 2011, or does it simply drop out of your hands, leaving you standing, empty of its contents?
Kahil Gibran said that we are all like rivers, flowing toward the vast ocean … and in that moment when the river water flows into the vast water of the ocean, the rivers rich life of a thousand miles dissolves into nothingness. Will this happen to you when you flow into 2012? Will your rich past dissolve into nothingness? Will your miserable past dissolve into nothingness.
If you do not allow 2011 to dissolve into nothingness, how can you enter the new year, alert and sharp, able to manifest your new resolutions?
Are you wonderfully obsessed with knowing the unknown that lies in the new year? Is it more important to you than the known that you’d experienced in the old year?
You can’t go back, so why waste time looking behind you? Why not look ahead of you? You will be marvelously surprised.
It’s always good advice to drop the old, to lighten the load, so you can jump on something new. This is what it takes to make one’s life an exciting adventure.
What will you do to jump on the new in 2012?
What will you let go of to make your New Years Resolutions come true?
When there is a choice, will you choose the unknown (the risky, the dangerous), or will you choose to do what you always do?
Please let me know what this blog brings up in you.
Happy New Year.
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Hi Rob. Happy New Year to you! Hope it’s a big one. I’ve never thought of New Years like that before. Two hands becoming one” that’s pretty deep, my wife and I usually just get some Chinese Food and watch the ball drop on TV. Works for us! Better than standing around in the cold, I say! For 2012 I don’t want to rock the boat but hope to keep on my path of gradual self improvement. I feel like I’ve been steady and consistent on changing my attitude about work and family and it is starting to add up. I think the biggest challenge is not keeping my head in the past and feeling guilty about the many “bad” years of anger and neglect.
Hi Roger. T’is a new year for you. Begin it with this idea in mind: a hardened point of view leaves no room for anything new; it’s like a flashlight that points in only one direction. You’re catching on. Blessings
Great post, yea all we can control is the future, not the past..
only look back to things that worked for you…
Otherwise March Forth..!
Hi jack. A child on his swing knows he’s not moving from his fixed position. An adult staring at the past seems to have trouble realizing that he’s not moving from his fixed position as long as he stares. It’s a big one, isn’t it. Thank you
I was thinking about this on my way in to the office this morning. The status quo should always be subject to challenge, but not to the point we discard the lessons we’ve learned adhering to it. It’s like those signs posted at trailheads in national parks, “Leave only footsteps, take only memories.”
The best is yet to come, but only insomuch as we’re willing to pursue it.
Happy New Year, Rob.
Hi Brian. Looking at past problems can solve future problems about as good as a typewriter can write affirmations by itself. Bad odds! Blessings!
Hi Rob,
I believe you ought to look at the previous year to see what you did well and what you need to improve upon. Take your lessons learned into the new year and make it your best year yet!
Happy New Year to you Rob!
Angela
Hi Angela. We must want a clear mind more than we want to look at past problems for answers … this is what I find works best for me. Blessings
Hey Rob. I’m busting out this year! I can feeeel it
I’ve been working soooo hard at improving my mood and visualizing me dream job that I just know I am overdue for a breakthrough. I’m starting a brand new vision board so on Monday morning I am starting the year off right. I’m not wasting my energy looking at the past. I’ve been a little over optimistic in how easy I thought it would be, but I’m not going to let that discourage me. I’ve learned from my mistakes and am clear on how I can take action and steps toward launching my career. I’m not saying I’m going to be an executive at the end of the year, But I know I can get out of my crummy job and get an entry level job at good firm and by the end of the year I can move up to making $100,000. That’s very real and happens all the time. Much love in the New Year for you and the new Book!
Hi Kara. making $100,000 a year does happen all of the time. Nice noticement … so why not allow it to happen to you? Thank you
Great points Rob! I had already experienced 2011 once I might as well let go of it and be ready and present for a glorious 2012.
take care…
Hi Justin. Experiencing a year once is enough – Nice! A poor choice is experiencing last year again this year, thinking somehow you’re advancing forward. Blessings
Hi Rob. I love Kahil Gibran quotes. He’s my favorite! The Prophet was one of those books that changed my life! I’m letting 2011 dissolve. It was a strange year. I faced a lot of major changes and to be honest I think I am still processing the whole thing. Oh, well. That’s the beauty of life. Every year is different and the coming year will be decidedly different. I’m ready for change and it is exciting. What give me solace these days is not knowing or planning on exactly how I want things to be. Things are so tumultuous there is just no way to say for sure, but I feel that all these changes are necessary, exciting and ultimately positive. My resolution is to embrace change even though I have no idea what exactly that means! It’s all about attitude this year.
Hi Carol. embracing change willingly is always a great choice. Why? Because the one thing you can be dead certain about is this: change is going to happen. Thank you.
Hi Rob,
Even though the old year has ended and the new year begins, there is still continuity. After all, the present and future is built upon the past. A chapter may end in a book, but all chapters are necessary to make sense of the one that follows. While it is good to let go of unpleasantness in the old year, we have to learn from our mistakes to avoid them in the new year. A new year is a chance to start afresh and to continue your journey. It is good to shape it according to your wishes. Otherwise, it will not be worth the effort.
Thank you for sharing this lovely article and Happy New Year!
Irving the Vizier
Hi Irving. I find when I think too deeply about a matter, intellectualism limits me. I love what those who have mastered life offer as advice – they speak simply; never leading one astray by the illogic of intellectualism. Even that sounds like an oxymoron – doesn’t it. Thank you
Hi Rob,
Exactly my friend, now is the time to let go of “poor me” attitude and start taking responsibility for our thoughts, emotions, and life. There is no point in doing the “same” thing if we don’t like the result we are getting. Let it be a year filled with adventure, prosperity, and success. Happy New Year my friend
Hi Dia. My 2012 tip for you to ponder: Holding the idea of self-command is a fabulous first step to creating a future as one wants it to be. But a man can think about the idea of self-command and still be a slave to the past (oh, how I know). Blessings
Hey Rob! I’m ready for another good year. I can say that with all confidence and sincerity. I’ve been so absorbed in writing and performing it’s like my big dumb ego has been slowly dissolving into the past of 2011. I like that idea. Even though 2011 was a good year I still have to keep letting it go so I can keep expanding. It’s like the more I let the old accomplishments fade away, the more room I have for creating something new. It’s exciting. It just feels so good when I am doing it, I feel like I can face any of the other crap life throws at me. I think having a good year; year in and year out is all about knowing what you value. No matter how far I plunge into the muck and mire, I’m confident I have a higher calling waiting to pull me out.J Hope your book has a big year too. Long tome reader, first time commentor, AJ.
Best to you, my friend
Hi A.J. Thank you for commenting. I like what you’ve said. Might I add that it is no test of psychic strength to work on oneself in good times … it’s when life decides to get a little ornery – right there, in the middle of an emotional storm – that’s when the work must be done (if we’re to gain strength from the circumstance). I can see that you’ve experienced this. Blessings
Hey Brother Man, I’m not one to believe in time, let alone the dogma of “New Years” and all that. I think we have to find a way to live that brings us peace everyday here and now. When we do that we can lift the veil of reality. Time ceases to exist and calendars are irrelevant. What’s the point? The sun will rise, the stars will shine and we all have the ability to look at the same sun and stars as Buddah did 2,500 years ago. That being said I wish everyone peace and mindfulness everyday starting now. If I’m to celebrate a new year I have to celebrate the now all year long.
hi Rus. Practicing ‘mindfulness’ is always a great tip. So, might I ask you how you practice mindfulness? Spiritual hunger arouses right action … that’s something you’ve experienced more than once. Blessings
Hi Rob… Great post again! Often times, I get too attached to the past that it affected the present. I get so engrossed in the mistakes of the past that it affects major decisions of the Now! But over the years, I’ve learnt to let go and move on rationally. It’s a new year again, and just as your illustration of the rivers and the ocean, I’m very much ready again to inhale a breath of fresh air. Thanks for this wonderful insight. Happy New Year!
Hi Oluwa. You so want to see what is on top of the mountain; I appreciate you for this. The grounded being sees things from his self-deceiving level; you are not grounded – that is clear to me. You are beginning to soar. Let 2012 be a big year for you. A free man eats bread when he needs bread, but he never eats bread simply to eat bread. Ask yourself, “What does this ‘bread statement’ have to do with me?” It does. Blessings
Hi Rob. I’ve never believed in the nonsense of New Years resolutions. I think they just set people up for dissappointment and failure. It’s no mystery that millions of people resolve to loose weight or some other such thing. Any profound lasting change has to start deep within. All my great changes have just been in me. They come about when they are ready and they come about slowly but surely. I’m a patient man and know that a year goes by in the blink of an eye. A good year is one that I am a little less the curmudgeon I was than in the beginning. In that context, I am proud to say it was a very good year…
Hi Salty. “A good year is one that I am a little less the curmudgeon” I like that. What is your counsel for determining when you’re a curmudgeon? blessings
I have a friend who says just loose the weight and then when healthy figure out the life lessons of the weight and process in hindsight…it will serve you better.
I just try to step into the new and start from there, I have found that the death of my Mother has resurfaced lots of old, old lessons and I can feel them again and the let go and move forward with out all that baggage. I am going to throw away about 2/3rds of the family pictures this year…to just make a 1/3 statement of those young lives that I can put on a CD or flash drive and give to each child….just enough to remember but not so much weight to burden tomorrow.
Very nice post – I like the river to sea image…Thank you
Hi Patricia. “let go and move forward with out all that baggage” … YES, that’s a big one for all of us. It’s funny how we can see this clearer in others than we can see it in ourselves, isn’t it. Happy ‘lighter’ New Year. blessings
Hi Rob,
Wonderful post. I look at the past year or years as stepping stones for the future. Time moves on, but we learn from our experiences. Each past experience guides us to live our best life at the present moment. I will always cherish the memories of the past, but I have learned to detach gracefully from that which causes pain and look for the joy in each and every day. Gratitude always for the road I have traveled and for the people that have crossed my path. Happy 2012 to you!
Hi Cathy. “Gratitude always for the road I have traveled and for the people that have crossed my path” … YES, a great guiding principle when looking at old films in the mind. It’s when we can’t stop staring at old films that things get testy; it limits our cosmic comprehension. blessings
Happy New Year Rob!
I smiled from beginning to end with this post … thank you! You quote one of my absolute favorites Khalil Gibran and this so doesn’t surprise me.
I’m excited about this moment, the here and now. If the last two very interesting, very life-altering, years have taught me anything, it was to let go and live in the present; this moment. Admittedly, that was anything, but what I had done all my life. I was a child who always looked to the future because life wasn’t moving fast enough and I wanted to change my circumstances. As I got older and still obsessively chased the future, I was torn like a jealous lover, looking to the past trying to find the simplicity of it all that had somehow been chased away. I longed to here squeaky backyard swings and race up and down cement wedges under the underpasses of highways above. I couldn’t find what I needed to live in the present and that seemed to be courage … I needed courage. I struggle a bit still sometimes, but I will say never have I been more liberated, freer. I now look at the past and thank it for bringing me this far and the future I thank for waiting for me as I travel to get there.
Your words are always so beautiful … you give many gifts and I’m eternally grateful.
Peace to you,
Elena
Hi Elena. “I longed to here squeaky backyard swings and race up and down cement wedges under the underpasses of highways above” … I hope this is in a book. it should be. Conscious sacrifice is necessary; we must become aware of the pangs of the past, and simply stop watching those old mental reels (easier said than done … but doable). You always offer great insights. thank you
Ohh thats a big question! Surprisingly I haven’t given it much thought. I’ve kind of stuck my head in the sand that a new year is upon me all of a sudden. Part of me wants to stay status quo. Maybe I’ve sunk into a comfort zone and just want to stay put. It’s been such a struggle just to get to ‘normal’ that I feel like I don’t want to upset things. I like the challenge you laid out here. Now that I’ve given it more thought I think the scariest thing would be to stay exactly the same!
I always think there is room for improvement. I’d like to get more involved with creativity this year. It has been on hiatus. I’m thinking I can take some night classes. I’ve always wanted to try pottery, but have been putting it off. If I can add few new side things like that I think it will spice up the routine.
Hi Alicia. Sinking into a comfort zone and wanting to stay there …. is like trying to get perfume from a brick; we miss the beautiful scent of life. Blessings
Hi Rob, and a very Happy New Year to you and yours.
I loved the questions you asked in this post. They were in line with many of the same ones I’ve been asking and answering for myself concerning 2012. For me, 2011 was an eye opener to my life and all the things that have happened to me up to this point. It was a good year for me, I must say. I was fully mindful of the changes that have taken place over the years passing. I am in at the place in my life where I strive to use all that has happened the previous years before, to make the current year an even better one for myself. So when the clock struck twelve Sunday morning, I turned the chapter of 2011 in my life and begin writing the new chapter for 2012. I may revisit 2011, but only to reach back for the lessons it taught me. It won’t be to study the winnings, losings, pleasures, or pains per say; rather the lessons that each of them bought to me in 2011.
I believe that 2012 will be extremely life changing for me. It will usher into my life HUGE possibilities and opportunities that I stay open too, and allow myself permission to take them. The life that I expect 2012 to reward my hard work for will have no resemblance to the one I’ve lived in the times past. I believe this because daily I’m growing and becoming fully more present in the moment; knowing more and more that the present is where I need to place my energy, talents, and gifts. I will continue to fine tune these three, to be sure that I’m ready to receive all that 2012 has for me. I’m totally psyched about this year, and I know that it’s only a matter of time before what I’m expecting to come to fruition in my life, actually comes to pass. It’s for this reason that I know that I will gladly welcome the unknown that’s sure to take place. I’m totally embracing and looking forward to embarking upon what is forming to be a most AWESOME adventure for Deeone in 2012.
Continual Blessings to you, my friend.
Hi Deeone. Given the ‘I AM’ that you’ve created yourself to be, I, like you, believe that 2012 will be a year of huge possibilities for you. Your comment shows how you have awoken to true values. All can go well outside in 2012, but if all does not go well on the inside, then what is the outside worth? NOTHING! I do not see this to be a concern for you because you have put in the time to do the necessary inside work. Nice job. Thank you
Every year I say “This is the year for me.” I feel like I say that every year and nothing changes… why is that? I feel like I’m trying everything and nothing really changes. All I have is few more inspiring quotes and few new bad habits to replace the old habits I tried to kick. I don’t know man, I’m loosing faith in all this self-help stuff. Sorry to whine but New Years is always depressing for me. No date, no girlfriend and one crippling hangover. I swear if I spend another year without a real relationship, I’m just going to move to a monastery.
Hi Alan. No day is wasted when you make at least one attempt to break free of your usual thought patterns. Eventually there is a ‘cracking open’. Keep going! Blessings
Hi Rob. Happy New Year. I had an enlightening year to be sure. I didn’t have any big breakthroughs per se, but I think I’ve learned a tremendous amount about myself. I’ve really come into my own this year and feel like I’m seeing things clearly. In years past I feel like I was always wrapped up in others peoples ideas, opinions and even values. At a certain point I realized a lot of the things I thought I valued were simply passed on to me. It’s easy to adopt opinions of people you respect, but even then you can realize that their values simply are not your values. That’s the beauty of artistic expression. There never is a right answer. The only right answer is the one that you arrive at from your own journey. I think we should always be cleaning off the past. It’s a constant maintenance gig for sure.
Hi John. “Cleaning off the past.” I like that. It is a weakness to think that others can do the maintenance that cleans off our past. You have licked this weakness. Wisdom has taught you to take care of the daily maintenance to cleans off your past. It shows. Thank you.
Rob,
This is a great take on how we can transform our self-concept in New Year. If is such a big catalyst for many people to set goals and make change, and if we are willing to take this perspective as you provide us it becomes an empowering and spiritual shift that helps us to become who we are meant to be. I am set for a great year and hope you all the best Rob!
Hi Joe. I believe you are set for a great year in 2012. You have prepared yourself to feel fully adequate in all circumstances – what else but a great year can possibly show up for you. Thank you
I was lucky to have a two week break from my day to day.
It was enough to forget whatever it was that I used to do each day, and now I get to start fresh from a clean slate. It’s a great chance to drop any ineffective patterns, and adopt or test out some new more effective ones.
The one theme I think that will drive me through 2012 is to take bold action. All my best results in life have been the result of bold action. The difference now is how I embrace the journey, rather than just the destination.
Hi J.D. So few dare take bold action. They say to themselves, “I need more strength before climbing the mountain.” Yet, we all have the capacity to be brave for ourselves … which is what it takes to take bold action and climb. You think energetically about your future. I enjoy that about you. Thank you
Happy New Year all!
Another great mind adventure Rob.
The only resolution I stick to is this:
Do what I need to do to get to where I want to be in order to change the world and the people in it.
The latter portion may be a bold statement, but that’s exactly what I want to do and what my heart is set on.
I firmly believe that when it comes to New Year’s resolutions, it’s a time to reflect upon the good and the bad. What things did you do good? How did you do it and can you repeat it? What things did you do bad? What’s the lesson you can take from the negative?
Instead of focusing on one resolution (i.e. lose x amount of pounds) focus on what you can learn from the past. It’s true, you can’t go back in time and do things over again. But what you can do is learn from what you did and make the adjustment.
Life is all about adjustments…that’s what I believe. Either you adjust and get better or you don’t and repeat the negative.
Hi Jeremy. YES, life is all about adjustments, and you are one to adjust when it’s called for. One characteristic of a sheep-like mind is not adjusting. Weak minds want other minds to lead the way. You have a strong mind, and thus, you are able to adjust on your own. That’s a gift you help others to find in themselves. Thank you.
Yooo!! What up ROBOBBOBY. I don’t know about you but this was a dope ass year for me SON. I just gotta maintain my MAGIC momentum and I’ll be blowing Shiz up in 2012 and beyond. When this year started I was still rockin out all the time and just hookn up left and right… but I’ve realized thats all BS. I mean, it’s cool from time to time, but I got downright serious this year! Things aint what they used to be thats for SHIZURE!!! You know what I’m sayin. I’m not one of those dopes who keeps repeatin the same old shiz thinkn they are makn changes. I’m changing 4 REAL! Like, for instance.. I used to get fired up by gettin my Boys riled up to chase the night and act like fools. Man we would get crazy and just push the limits and think we were bad ass HARD CORE mofo’s or something. It was just foolishness. Now I’m all about gettin my TRUE friends to dig deep and stop wastn their lives… ya know what I’m sayn? I’m leading by example by taking my big mouth and taking action. I got mad PROMISES to keep and MAD MILES to go before I sleep!!! HAHAHAHHAHAHAH
PEACE OUT and PEACE and ACTION JackSON in 2012 HOLLA HOlla BAck YEAH!
Hi Magic. “I’m leading by example by taking my big mouth and taking action.” This can be a powerful resolution for 2012 so long as you abandon all action that does not feel real natural. Let your inner being guide you. Thank you
Ah yes. Another year above ground is good year for me! Ha. Over the last 5 years as I was approaching retirement that was pretty much how I felt. My practice was running itself, the kids are all grown up and on with their own lives and I wasn’t sure what was next. I felt like I was out of steam and feeling angst about what I’m going to be doing with myself. Since I’ve started digging deeper over 2011 I’m actually looking forward to 2012 and beyond with renewed vigor! I truly feel that my retirement (and I should stop calling it that) is going to produce the best years yet. Where I used to worry about filling time, now I’m worried there won’t be enough time to get everything done. It’s a good feeling. There are times I feel that same zest and excitement I had when I was a young man just starting to make his way in the world.
Hi Georgie. “There are times I feel that same zest and excitement I had when I was a young man just starting to make his way in the world.” As we get older we get too complicated to understand how we did this in our youth. Simplify, and the ability to become acquainted with your curious and ambitious nature becomes easy. Blessings
Hi Rob,
I love your message from Khalil Gibran – “that we are all like rivers, flowing toward the vast ocean … and in that moment when the river water flows into the vast water of the ocean, the rivers rich life of a thousand miles dissolves into nothingness.”
I have been swimming upstream for far too long and am therefore letting 2011 dissolve into nothingness as I take the reins of my life and flow in 2012.
Glad to be back on your blog.
Hi Lisa. “I have been swimming upstream for far too long and am therefore letting 2011 dissolve into nothingness as I take the reins of my life and flow in 2012.” A pianist chooses the right keys to attain musical harmony … and so we musut choose the right life-principles to achieve lifew harmony. You are a master pianist, and simply had forgotten. I am glad you are remembering. I never forgot that about you. Blessings
Hi Rob,
This New Year’s, I am feeling more light and empowered than I can ever remember. I spent New Year’s Eve letting go of the old and welcoming the new. I wrote everything that I wanted to leave behind from 2011, wrote them on cards and then took them out to the woods, released them to the Universe and set them on fire. It was pretty awesome!
Now, intention. Intention to let go of what was holding me back by taking action… on which note, I must head off to write!
May 2012 be a glorious one for you and yours!
Love,
Jenny
Hi jenny. “I wrote everything that I wanted to leave behind from 2011,.. and released them to the Universe..” I like that, Jenny. Now proceed to dissolve any bitterness that you may be holding inside of you. When I do this, my original nature comes soaring through, like a free bird let out of its cage. I expect this will happen to you several times in 2012. Blessings
Jeez. I wish I was as optimistic as Deeone! I’m more of a realist these days. If I can get back and join the workforce full time it would be a fantastic improvement. I’ve been down so gosh darn long that it feels like UP to me. I’m taking a year of baby steps. In past years I’ve gotten way too big for my britches and set myself up for failure. I made all kinds of extreme resolutions and goals. In hindsight they had no basis in reality and it just led to my spiral of anger and resentment at the world. Not this year! Like I said, Baby steps! A full time job is a reasonable goal in this climate.
Hi Ramone. “In past years I’ve gotten way too big for my britches and set myself up for failure. I made all kinds of extreme resolutions and goals.” This is what we do when we secretly believe that life is not really going to offer us anything of any value; we set meaningless goals and pretend we mean it. Welcome to the club. It’s time to quit that club. Blessings
Hi Rob,
I’ve been running around like a crazy person the last couple of months. I am glad to mentally put 2011 behind me. At the new year, there was a big shift of positive expectancy in the air, when many said goodbye to heir sorrows and embraced the possibilities. The last couple of years have been completely non-routine for me – change comes daily, and what may be next can’t be said. But I am really looking forward to it.
I am sorry I missed you and JK in Miami – I am only a couple of hours away, but found out about it too late. It would have been great to meet you guys!
Here is to a miraculous 2012!
Hi Julie. “I am glad to mentally put 2011 behind me. At the new year, there was a big shift of positive expectancy in the air” When we want self-newness, which clearly you do … there is a feeling of positive expectancy that whirls all around you. Let this feeling make you new (it wants to). I expect great achievements from you in 2012 … you are ready for them. Blessings
I’m kickn the year off right my man. I’m checkin’ off resolutions and takn names! Ha ha. Seriously, I’ve started a nice exercise routine that keeps my energy up and gets me outside. I’ve been reading more and have a list of biographies of inspiring people that actually has me excited. I think the key to resolutions is to pick things that you know will make you feell good when your head hits the pillow. When I think of skimping on my resolutions I just ask myself how I want to feel at the end of the day. That’s been enough to keep me on track. I think if I stick with this I be able to add more and more positive changes to my day.