Self…..

As has been my practice over the last few years, I've picked a word for the coming year….

not for a 'resolution' but perhaps a theme for the year 

(if it works out, no pressure here)...

In the past I've chosen the words 

Joy, Clarity, Balance and Completion.

This year the words that came to me were 

Self Care

As I formed these words in my mind and out loud……

I wondered what that would really look like for me.  

Would it mean long baths, massage, and a more rigorous skin care routine?

Would it mean more long walks, meditation, and sky gazing?…..

Would it mean spending more time alone with my Self?

Would it mean carving out time every day for creative pursuit?…..

Would it mean slowing down?….

Would it mean checking in to make certain what I'm doing is what "I" want to be doing?

Would it mean being kinder to my Self?…
…..

I feel as though 2015, for me, has been one of playing "catch up",

never feeling I had enough time to address serious nagging issues that needed my attention

and often feeling rushed and pressured and confused…

(and please know I continue to be deeply grateful for my amazing year)

but I want this next one to feel more grounded….

So I declare 2016 to be the year of 

Self

Yes. Let's try that.

Happy New Year!

Our view of the Organ Mountains in southern New Mexico on Christmas Eve

Day Girl/Night Girl......in pursuit of Clarity

I was recently introduced to the books of Penney Peirce........

and while perusing her website.......this concept popped up.........

Present Moment Practice

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I serve my future self.

Let your "morning self" do something thoughtful for your "evening self" and let your "evening self" do something beneficial for tomorrow's "morning self."

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I saw comedian Jerry Seinfeld on the David Letterman show late one night and he was giving a hilarious rundown about how he sabotages himself. He said that "Night Guy" likes to stay up late, party, drink a bit too much, and eat pizza. Then "Morning Guy" has to get up early to be at work and is exhausted, clogged up, and rushing around making lists and getting organized. Night Guy thinks Morning Guy is a wimp and Morning Guy thinks Night Guy is a jerk!

After Jerry's all-too-true description of our schizophrenic lives, I started to think of myself as Morning Girl and Night Girl, or Now Girl and Future Girl. Morning Girl often forgets to exercise and take the vitamins that Night Girl needs, and Night Girl sometimes forgets to brush her teeth or put her clothes in the hamper, which leaves Morning Girl feeling churlish. So I started pretending that Morning Girl was doing favors for Night Girl; she'd change the bedsheets or take a brisk walk. Night Girl would in turn wash the dishes and leave the sink clean. Morning Girl would make the phone calls and Night Girl would organize the piles by the phone. Now Girl helps Future Girl by always putting the car keys in the outside pocket of my purse or closing drawers after she opens them. When your day and night selves, your present and future selves, work for each other's good, eventually you'll know the real self, or soul, that underlies and fuels both.

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Excerpted from The Present Moment: A Daybook of Clarity and Intuition by Penney Peirce