Gravity and the New.

What is it about New Year’s?  Even I, in all my ho-hum pensiveness, cannot escape the inevitable draw to reflect and look forward at this time of year.  So here I am.  It’s January 1, 2009.  I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think about the importance of this date.  Of course, it’s a new year, day one.  But at the same time, it’s just another day.  This day found me much the same as the past few days have found me.  I woke, ate, showered, dressed, went out.  I took a yoga class, came home.  Not much is really different.  But there is some sort of strange gravity about this day, and I kinda like it.

I’ve had a killer year.  2008 was by far, the best year of my life..  ever.  I accomplished things this year that I would never have even thought were possible.  I never like overly quantifying things, especially good things, because I think it somehow devalues them.  So, I’m not going to say, “this was the best thing, and that was the second best thing..”  It doesn’t matter.  It was a good year.  I made some incredible life changes this year, climbed some amazing mountains, dealt with huge things, and gained some very important perspective on my life.  I grew up, got healthier, took control of my life, and did things I’ve always wanted to do.  It was a good year.

I was reading Matt’s recent post on his New Blog (which I love) and was inspired to think of all the New things in my life.  I have a New Job.  I am a New Bikram Yoga Teacher.  I have a New Life, New Body, and New Hope.  I have many New Friends, who have become like a precious family to me.  I have New Patterns and New Dreams.  I want even more New Things for 2009.

I am not the type to make New Year’s Resolutions.  I think they’re fine, for what they are, but they have never served me well.  I don’t make lists of things I want to do.  Instead, I set my intention on making changes.  This year I have a few major changes I want to make.  They are things that have already been set in motion over the past few months, and even years.  I look forward to seeing them come to fruition in 2009.

Even with all the New things in my life, even with the goals I have set for this year, I still find myself mostly just grateful for right now.  2008 was an incredible year for me.  So, in light of that, I will share a list with you all of some of the things I am most thankful for from the past year.

I am thankful that I am healthier today than I was one year ago.
I am thankful that I am still doing Bikram Yoga
I am thankful that my family is healthy and whole.
I am thankful for the love Dave and I share.
I am thankful to have the ability to maintain the boundaries I have set in my life.
I am thankful to have met so many amazing new friends this year.
I am thankful for the strength I have found inside.
I am thankful that I was able to do Teacher Training.
I am thankful for the support that I have to pursue my dreams.
I am thankful for my home studio, my job, my bosses, my fellow teachers, and the amazing community at BYTW.
I am thankful that I can share yoga with others.
I am thankful this year brought me hope.
I am thankful to be healthy and well.
I am thankful for every blessing.

I wish you all an amazing New Year.  Remember to give thanks always.

Namaste.