5 Things To Let Go Of In 2014

"The days are long, but the years are short." - Gretchen Rubin

One of my oldest and dearest friends crafted me the most lovely, thoughtful and perfect gift for Christmas: a beautiful piece of canvas art depicting a heart shaped group of butterflies just beginning to take flight (picture to the left!).

I adore this gift, and the way in which the butterflies seem to be in motion made me start thinking about the beginning of 2014; of letting go, of being light and free, and of flying to new adventures near and far. What could I do in my own life to feel more free, happy, and full this year? More specifically, what could I unburden myself from? It was time to take to the ol' blog for a bit of list making!

So cheers, friends, to the start of another lap around the sun, and cheers to 5 things I vow to let go of at the start...

1. Gratuitous Guilt.  It's the kind of guilt that is small, every day, and ordinary; just annoying enough to tug at your gut for a few hours or days at a time. The kind that pops up just itching to be reminded of...before it's replaced by something else. It's the guilt surrounding not having snail mailed Christmas cards this year (crap, I really meant to), or having picked up pizza for your guests instead of cooking something yourself. It's the guilt that stems from declining an invitation simply because you don't feel up for it, for sleeping in on Sunday instead of starting errands early and the guilt from not doing or liking something that others think you should. This kind of guilt is unnecessary and encumbering. What do you say we forgive ourselves for not meeting every made up expectation and be satisfied with just doing the best we can, exactly as we are?

2. Size twenty(ahem) pants. My body is changing. It's time I honor it, and my new size, with the kind of clothes that feel best on my frame. I vow to continue eating a mindful diet and exploring my interest in yoga, but I will no longer be squeezing into a pair of now-uncomfortable jeans simply because my ego thinks it's better to fit into a particular number size than not. I have a hot man who thinks I am quite the sexy catch (and who calls me Trishdashian, as a play on Kardashian sized booty curves). What the hell am I stressing about?

3. Chronos time. I love discovering new blogs via great friends, and this one has to be one of my favorites from 2013 (Thank you, Noodle!). "I want a chronos answer to a kairos question.  But we are not waiting for the bus, here.  I am being called to a deeper waiting.  Nouwen calls it 'active waiting.': Active waiting means to be present fully to the moment, in the conviction that something is happening where you are and that you want to be present to it.  Our waiting is always shaped by alertness to the world."

4. "Next Year" mentality. No more waiting for the perfect timing to do what my heart truly desires. No more moving the goal post out. Do it now, do it now, do it now. (Hint: hello, CTI)

5. The "Snooze" button. This one was suggested...ever so gently...by B (I imagine it might have something to do with how it disturbs his own sleep patterns, but we'll look at it more generally). I have nothing against sleeping in. In fact, I encourage it! But there is something about the avoidance of waking up to start my day that bothers me a bit. So, the snoozing shall cease and the exploration of making mornings more cherished, enthusiastic and welcoming begins.

Happy New Year, darlings! What 5 things can you let go of this year?

Love and Light,

Trish

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