Goodbye 2013, Hello New Year!

Today is the last day of 2013, which makes it an auspicious date to reflect on our lives from the past year. Honestly, I am still baffled by the date of 2013, as I was pretty sure little more than a year ago that we wouldn’t make it here, being under the slight delusion that the world would end on December 21, 2012. All that happened that day, however, was that I received my first speeding ticket. Sort of a let-down for the apocalypse but also a relief because I wouldn’t have to figure out how to live in a world without electricity or tampons.

So after the Continuation of Normal Life on December 21, 2012, eleven days later came the New Year, 2013. At that time I was working full time in Salem, training our new legal assistant, and living in a crappy apartment in Tualatin. One year later, on the eve of 2014, I am living in a house in North Portland with three wonderful roommates (which turned out to be a better decision than I could have hoped for), working full time in downtown Portland, and that legal assistant I was training is now a bad-ass at her job and is not only an amazing co-worker, but a great friend. I have also worked hard this year at Getting Fit, to which I can say, I HAVE SUCCEEDED, mostly. Granted, I did not hit any specific "Life Milestones" this year (aka a graduation, proposal, marriage, child, or even a particularly enjoyable date), but I DID go to Hawaii three times… so there’s that.

This year on Christmas Eve, after we had opened presents and consumed several glasses of red wine, my step-dad suggested we do a solstice ritual. At first, I imagined dancing naked under a full moon and lighting sage to sweep out ghosts and braiding our hair with pine needles, but it turns out it was a simple reflection with a candle. We sat around our kitchen table fully clothed, lights out, one candle lit in front of each of us. “Reflect on the year, and when you are ready, say what you want to let go of for the New Year and blow out your candle.” We sat in a peaceful silence, and when I was ready, I said, “My intention is to let go of expecting too much too soon.” And I blew out my candle. After everyone had stated their intentions, we re-lit our candles using the fire from anothers candle, and stated what we intended to bring into the New Year. “My intention is to Be Heard.” I said.

Be Heard. Through writing, by developing my skills in this craft, and by finally being confident enough to send my work to publishers. But in other aspects of my life as well. If something bothers me, I don’t want to just ignore it anymore. I want to speak up. My thoughts and feelings are worth something, and knowing me, if I feel I am being rude I am probably just being honest. Though I don’t feel that conflict is something that presents itself too often in my life, I want to know that if it does arise, that I’ll be able to deal with it appropriately. By being heard and not silencing how I really feel.

On this New Year’s Eve, I am reflecting on the past year but looking ahead as well. What else do I want to bring into my life this year? For one, I know that I will be working on my Discovery Journal. Doing one new thing a week and really taking advantage of living in Portland. I am looking forward to this journey.

Additionally, I have decided to do an alcohol detox for the first two weeks of this year, for several reasons:

1) It will be healthy for me.

2) I will save money.

3) The holidays have created a booze-consuming monster out of me, and I need to get myself under control by practicing Self Discipline.

4) Also, Self-Deprivation is said to be a good thing to partake in by Buddha. Probably.

This is what I call a Challenge, and as we all know, Challenges are good for building character. Why two weeks, you ask? A month is entirely too long, and a week seems too easy. Last year my friend Julie declared that she wouldn’t drink for the entire month of January, and she did pretty well too… until we went out to one of our favorite restaurants and I ordered the sangria, and like a devil on her shoulder, convinced her that she wanted some sangria too. She was days away from meeting her goal, and I still feel a little bad about that. Sorry Julie… but wasn’t that sangria good?!

So here’s to building character, to going out in STYLE tonight – our last hours in 2013 – to wrap up an amazing year, and to bringing in a New Year with a fresh start. Also, we can’t forget a salute to another year without an apocalypse, and (hopefully) for many more years to come!

Happy New Year to you all, may it bring you everything you are looking for.