We welcome back guest blogger, Sandy Conant, today! Thanks, Sandy!
Instead of new year’s resolutions, I always choose a theme for the year and three or four “focus” areas. It’s an intuitive process that’s more like “intentions” than “resolutions.” This year, the theme is “Stepping Grace-fully over Thresholds.” I am 78 years old and frankly, thresholds arise fast and furious at this age. Physically, we can go from 100% to 20% overnight —- a fall that breaks a shoulder, a death-knell diagnosis. Socially, we are blindsided —- e.g. by a granddaughter suddenly demanding to be “they/them” and declaring that she’s gender-neutral. (What the hell is that??) Spiritually, we may be felled by the death of a spouse or other loved one. I won’t even mention “technologically” —- watching a three-year-old be more adept at the computer than I am is still shocking. The “thresholds” —- those events that take us from one understanding to another or even one life to another —- speed up. How do we step over them with trust and gratitude?
The focus areas for the year are: Forgiveness, Agility, Discovery, and Energy. Forgiveness —- of both myself and others, for both misdemeanors and ‘crimes.’ Agility — flexibility and lightness in moving from one reality to another. Discovery —- not buying into the notion that this old dog can’t learn new tricks. Energy —- shifting energy from resentments or regrets to reconciliation and growth. The acronym is F-A-D-E. Yep, no doubt I’m fading, but right now, I want to fade my ego, to let go of pretensions and fall upward into appreciation for all that is, was and will be.
I recently read a quote from a man named Martin Shaw who said something like this: “ We need to stop using the phrase ‘Living with uncertainty’ — and begin saying “Navigating the Mystery.” It has more energy to it. ….”
The image of “navigating” added an amazing dimension to my theme and focus areas, for to ‘navigate’ requires preparation, new skills, understanding the environment, having a vision —- whether you’re navigating the Internet, a kayak in rapids or your one wild and precious life. At this age, it’s a great reminder to live to the fullest.