For the last few years, I've replaced the old standby tradition of making new year's resolutions with selecting a 'theme' for the year. The suggestion came from my own life coach and I've found it to be a wonderfully meaningful practice. I have my theme posted on my computer desktop and I've also been using it as the heading for my monthly column. That's right: my new theme is 'Giving Back with Gratitude'. 2007 was such a richly rewarding year for me that, in appreciation, I want to share as much of that reward with as many people as possible in 2008.
In the December 31st edition of Letters from Auntie Cyclone, she shares with her online 'nieces and nephews' some reflections on making new year's resolutions (and why that won't work) as well as giving some instructions for putting together a theme of your own for the year just started. She not only provides you with some great directions (see Crush Those New Year's Revolutions!), but she has also issued a challenge to you to share your theme for 2008 with the rest of our community. Please check it out!
Although I first learned about New Year's themes from my coach, Lyn Christian (read her thouths), the idea seems to have come from certain Buddhist groups. For example:
The influence of Asia's intense New Year's traditions is particularly pronounced for Buddhist groups rooted in Japan, where New Year's goes on for days and is the biggest event of the year. Among those groups is the Soka Gakkai, believed to be the largest Buddhist sect in the United States. Soka Gakkai followers receive a New Year's theme each year from their president, Daisaku Ikeda. He declared 2007 "the year of advancement and victory," and 2008 is "the year of capable people and development." [The Washington Post, Tuesday, January 1, 2008; Page B01]
What makes choosing a theme so much more effective than making a resolution? Because adopting a theme for the year is an alignment of the mind, heart, and soul; while making a resolution is an act of the will. Although conscious change requires willingness, effective change can't stop there. The will falters and wavers when the mind, heart and soul wander away from the goal. Motivation derives from passion, not decision.
Now, what do I mean by 'Giving Back with Gratitude' (this year's theme)? One of my signature strengths is called 'input'. That means that I have a passion for collecting all sorts of things, particularly ideas. I also have a strong talent for synthesizing those ideas into new constructs and forms. For the past 3-ish years, I've been collecting, synthesizing and organizing: preparing to produce a product — no — more like a product line.
Yet, there's a trap that people fall into that we call 'the paralysis of analysis.' This happens when we ruminate on something so long that any action on the subject becomes a moot question. When that happens, we've been stuck in the production phase for so long that the product is already obsolete before it's off the assembly line. That's why 'Giving Back' is so important. That's putting the planning into action, creating something special, and giving it to others in the world for their benefit.
But, it's not just a production process. As I mentioned earlier, there has to be a motivating passion. In this case, it's my 'Gratitude' for the inspiration, guidance, support, and assistance that I've been so generously given during this whole pre-production stage. Because I've been given so much of so great a value, I feel driven by gratitude to use my creations to inspire, guide, support and assist others. Unlike the things we unwrap during the holiday season, spiritual gifts are worthless until they're given away.
OK. There's the rationale behind my New Year's theme. Now it's your turn. Read Auntie Cyclone's letter, study her guidelines, create your own New Year's Theme, and share it with us. Let's see where your passion will take you this year!
Until next month, Namaste!
