Ray Pawlett

New Year - New You? No Thanks! Did you try a New Year Resolution? I didn’t bother!

says Ray Pawlett

If you did and you stuck to it for more than a few days – well done! They never work for me though.

This is very common with New Year’s resolutions. Why might this be?

If you have read any of my other articles, you will know that I am fascinated by ancient wisdom and how it connects to Nature. So let’s look here for a few clues.

If you look out for your window, what do you see? In late winter, there is not much going on as far as nature is concerned. The trees lost their leaves and are dormant, you haven’t needed to mow your lawn for a few weeks, the flowers are not up and no wise gardener is out there trying to break through the hard ground to plant seeds.

Nature is in the dormant state. It is resting and rejuvenating ready for the soon to come springtime. It is not a time of change – it is a time of reflection.

That is not to say that it’s impossible to make big changes to your life in the winter time but it’s going to be much easier if you wait until early spring. February sees the flowers starting to appear, buds appearing on trees and Nature starts to move.

Springtime is a time for change - especially detoxification. Many people start to ‘spring clean’ their lives as the season changes. This is in tune with the energies of nature rather than trying to fight it. Diet changes, new ways of exercising and new ways of thinking all become easier and more instinctive in the springtime. If winter is a time of stillness and reflection – use it for that. Use it as a time to explore what you would like to change and carry forward. Think deeply about it, make the intention and thoughts the first part of the journey to a new you. Take notice of your dreams and aspirations - your potential energies.

Here’s something that you might try:-

• You will need peace and quiet for at least 30 minutes for this. An hour is better! • You will also need some paper and a pen. • Find a quiet place and just sit for the first half of the time you have allocated for yourself. Relax and rest. Be like the winter trees. Do nothing. • Ask yourself what you would like to improve during the next year. • There will probably be loads of things - a slimmer waistline, better cardio fitness, better on the piano or whatever. Write them all down. • Aim your thoughts generally. Rather than ‘run a marathon’, think about what running the marathon will do for you and write that down. • When you have finished, fold up your piece of paper and put it away. • After a couple of nights’ sleep – take another look. Is there one that really draws your attention? Can you cross a few out that you don’t particularly need to achieve yet? • Let this process go on until mid February. By that time you will have whittled your list down and now you have a very good idea of WHAT you want to achieve. • Then you need to decide HOW to do it. Get active! Experiment and do it. Now is the time. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Enjoy the journey. Knowing what you are trying to achieve makes the doing of it so much easier and it’s real for you.

If you would like to explore this kind of work or any aspects of Tai Chi and healing more deeply please contact me via email ray@ki-ways.co.uk or give me a ring on 07413 620344