A friend of mine posted a satirical cartoon yesterday showing the new year, 2012, coming in and spraying 2011 with pepper spray. The imagery bothers me on several levels. While I understand that many people did not have a good year in 2011, to start out a new year by focusing on an act of violence or physical harm is problematic. There are many messages conveyed in the imagery created by this particular cartoon.
I know part of the challenge for me in looking at this cartoon is my belief in the power of intention. There are thoughts, words, images, memories that tap into our subconscious and grow there. Of course, it is up to us whether or not we feed the seeds of these intentions and yet, sometimes seeds of others intentions take root. What we often do not realize is that there are people who unwittingly buy into images that create intentions that may or may not truly represent what one wishes for a new year or a new life path. How can we be more careful in what we view and consider as we enter into the New Year?
Another friend asks us what New Year's resolutions we are making for 2012. While I've not been one to make resolutions I have always been a goal setter and aren't the two similar? My view of difference is that I only see the "resolution" as a mild oath. Still, the idea of setting goals or coming up with resolutions is another way of setting intentions. My question for today is, how can we close out the old year 2011 with an intention that leads us respectfully into the new year of 2012?
In this month's magazine, "Science of Mind", Katherine Saux quotes from book The Science of Mind that states:
"I love my past and my future and understand that they are but continuations of the one unbroken chain of life." pg. 246
When we look at years past and how we have learned from both the good and bad, the easy and the hard, it is clear that when we are in the midst of crisis we cannot foresee the good that can come out of personal challenges and struggles. Personal and spiritual growth is often spurred by adversity. Oftentimes we get stuck in ruts of habit, mindset, or convenience that hinder our growth or stunt our ability to move forward. In looking back we can often see that what we called a crisis in the past ended up being a catalyst of change for positive growth or as a prod for moving us to choose a more positive path in life.
When I write about the power of positive intention I do not mean merely positive thinking. Surely positive thinking can get us through a difficult moment but may not be powerful enough to move one to positive change. The difference for me is that a positive thought is fleeting and takes only the repeating of a phrase. Living in positive intention is a discipline and like any type of self-discipline takes a lot of hard work and determination.
As I consider my own goals for the new year I think of how I might set them in positive intention. The first step is to recognize the goal, the dream, the new path. For instance, this new year I will set my intention as an affirmation of my goal, not a wish. Instead of saying "I wish or hope to achieve..." the writing of my goals are stated in a manner requiring action. For example: I will complete both my short story manuscript and my poetry collection by March and submit to my publisher.
That statement does not mean that my publisher will take the next step of publishing what I submit, but if I do not complete the task, how can I ever know? By setting my intention in a phrase of action also requires that I consider how I will accomplish the goal. The task is not a simple New Year's ritual but a contemplative process. This contemplative process requires thoughtfulness, space, time and action. This type of goal requires communcation with family, co-workers and friends. Oftentimes it is easier for us to commit to such goals as the one I've listed above because of how the goal is a benefit to personal life.
How can we go further and think also of the world around us as we prepare for a new year? To create a goal that reaches beyond ourselves requires more thought, not less. In addition to writing a personal goal that will support my individual life, how can I consider a New Year's goal that will also assist those around me?
Gregg Braden is a Computer Geologist turned author whose goal is to bridge science and spirituality. In an interview with Braden he speaks of how science is discovering that competition is not the best way that we can live on this planet: that as we move forward into 2012 we must look at how we can work together in ways that uplift and empower each person rather than in the spirit of only the strongest survive.
"...the new science that is showing that cooperation and mutual id is the template we see in nature, and if it works for nature, it's probably going to work for human beings."
We are each interdependent upon one another. As our world looks to a New Year how can we choose intentions that take into consideration this fact?
My goals affect your life and your goals affect mine. We see this specifically in our political world but also in the world where religion intersects with daily life. When we are intentional about our goals and prepare ourselves in the self-discipline needed along with respect of nature and others, then anything is possible and the New Year full of promise and hope. Braden goes on to say:
"Bringing together our collective best will lead us to the light where we outgrow the habit of war and share the abundance of resources that this beautiful planet offers us, that we look one another in the eye and the idea of separation is a thing of the past. This is the light-worker's way of moving us toward the great destiny of humankind."
We need each other. We are the future of the world to come. Let us bring in light, hope, joy and respect.
"In whatever sense this year is a New Year for you, may the moment find you eager and unafraid, ready to take it by the hand with joy and gratitude." ~Howard Thurman
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Saux, Katherine. "Looking Back and Looking Ahead." Science of Mind: a Guide for Spiritual Living Dec. 2011: 62. Web. <http://www.scienceofmind.com/home>.
Rehker, Anita. "Gregg Braden & the Promise of 2012." Science of Mind: a Guide for Spiritual Living Dec. 2012: 17-22.
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