Ed Note: We always love when our member Jessie Kanzer can contribute to the HudCo Journal! Jessie reports on all things that bolster your physical and mental well-being.
As the new year begins, millions of Americans choose goals or take actions in hopes of becoming better versions of themselves… and 80% of them fail.
That’s right.
The truth is, when it comes to New Year’s resolutions, most of us don’t stick with them. This is so known, so accepted, it’s become a sort of fodder—perhaps a reason to not even try. Because as the usual story goes, we want to change something, to create something, to become something, but, pretty early into the new year we lose our initial momentum.
Well, when we look at it from a spiritual point of view, the reason is simple: energetic misalignment.
The ancient spiritual text of the Tao Te Ching teaches, “Be content; rest in your own fullness. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.” In other words, you cannot get what you are wanting when you’re in lack mode! It sounds harsh, I know. But the thing is, the energy of badly wanting something and the energy of having it are in very different planes.
In order to create something new, something different than what we’ve created in the past, we must become someone new—a fun process of shapeshifting that I call l call ManifesTAO’tion (ya know, a spiritual geek’s take on manifestation—it’s all in my book, by the way). And it can be used for any goal or desire under the sun.
Here are the 3 Simple Steps:
1. Clarify and Intend
Everything that exists began as an intention.
Create space to get still. Put on some music that moves you and write down your intention clearly and in the present: “I have a new job which I love,” “My body is healthy and I exercise regularly,” “My relationship is thriving.” You get the gist. Write it, state it out loud, intend it.
2. Embody
Embodiment is the process of shifting into the future you that you’re currently working on.
Close your eyes and meditate if you know how, or just keep ‘em closed and breathe long and deep (hint: same thing). Imagine yourself living this goal of yours. Experience it fully; allow it to permeate the cells of your body. Pretend there is no space or time, because there isn’t—not in the way we think of it—and be there Now. When you come out of this trance, jot down your impressions and insights. Carry this living dream with you. It is already real vibrationally…you’re just heading there physically.
3. Release
We can only do so much; there comes a point when we need to get out of our own way.
Now that you’ve felt the possibility of your new reality, there is no need to fret about it any longer. Does someone who knows their inevitable success/health/love/joy worry about it incessantly? NO! Sure, there‘ll be things that will need to get done and, little by little, you will do them. As another great Tao quote goes,
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
You have already taken that step by doing this exercise. Release your longing and pleading. It is done.
Go on with your life and cultivate inner peace and knowingness; let the steps towards your dream reveal themselves. The more chill you are and the more ease you create, the better this resolution business will go! And when you feel like you’re losing your mojo, when blocks come up (and they will) simply go back to these three steps. Remember, you can start again at any moment. That’s why I like to think of it as a New You resolution, versus a New Year’s one. You can recreate it at any time.