And we begin again…

As 2016 ends and 2017 peeks its head over the pass, we begin again.  Another rotation around the Sun, another review of the seasons and the unmistakable whiff of the “new beginning.”  What great ambitions go left unfinished, to which the New Year points, chocking for new breath? After my somewhat frenzied finish to 2016 – and slowing down the past three days (had to check the calendar for that info) – I see the tremendous value of slowing down and taking time to reflect, to plan, and to breathe.  And as I breathe I see that this “unfinished” ambition into which I’m breathing is myself.  I am the unfinished ambition, the incomplete project, the yet to be realized manifestation.  And I also now see that this “completion” project is over — there is no end and with that I breathe again, but this time it’s an exhale and sigh of relief.  This hard earned (and yet simple) realization of my inherent incompleteness — allows me to embody myself and my life in a new way.  I’m now slowing down the rush toward something and starting to see I am already here.  The freedom I experience with this is the relief of my nagging anxiety to do more – and it unfurls a carpet into the sensation and idea of living more.  So now I’m going to force myself to articulate what this means in a practical sense – so how does day to day change?  I think for one it allows the noticing and appreciating of the beauty around me.  It creates a deeper relaxation in my body. It facilitates a presence of being that is more alive and awake.  It unleashes creativity and expression instead of holding back and waiting for the right time.  All of this realized by just simply stopping for a decent chunk of time, while staying in my abode and giving my mind time to center and come back to me – joining me in the present.