One of the things I love about being raised Catholic are the rituals. I also love going into the new year with a fresh start. In Henriette Anne Klauser’s book Write It Down, Make It Happen* she describes a Native American celebration held during the solstice where tribes used an arrow ceremony to usher in the new year.
Several years ago I adapted this ritual to my own called Three Things. It’s quite simple. You get six small pieces of paper. On three of the pieces of paper you write three things you want to come into your life in the new year. On the other three pieces of paper you write down three things you want to eliminate from your life in the coming year.
Then, on New Year’s Eve, you burn the three pieces of paper where you’ve written the things you want to eliminate from your life. In turn you hide the three pieces of paper where you’ve written the things you want to bring in to your life in a special place like a journal or jewelry box.
I prefer this ritual to making New Year’s resolutions. This is more like making New Year’s intentions.
Though 2010 is quickly upon us I haven’t yet decided on my three things but I wanted to share this ritual with you in case you’re thinking ahead.
This is my last post of 2009. I hope it was a good year for you and that 2010 brings you the three intentions you make on New Year’s Eve.
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