Now is a good time to step back, to see what’s working and what’s not, and to move into the new year with renewed joy and excitement.
Anonymous
Welcome back to our Co-Creative Mandalas blog!
During 2023 we shared insights, inspiration, and all the ways the cycles of the Great Mandala uplift and support you. We drew upon the metaphors and messages of each season and explored and celebrated our individual and collective journeys toward Freedom.
The Co-Creative Mandalas have a vibration that represents something about the natural world and the energy in the universe at this current time.
As the year draws to a close, this is the time to Reflect on your journey, Celebrate all the ways you grew, and
Envision the year ahead.
It's an exciting time to be alive and to embrace your capacity to face changes and challenges and open your heart to making a difference in the world. This time of year can also serve as an invitation for all of us to slow down, to let go of what is not supporting our well-being, attune to the Light, and remember inner and outer Wholeness.
As the year ends, I think it's fascinating to reflect on the original meaning of the word January, from the Roman myth of Janus. Janus is the god of beginnings, gates, transitions, doorways, passages, and endings. He is usually depicted as having two faces, perhaps symbolizing what is important to do at this time of year, to look back at what has been and to look forward to what is to come. I invite you to take time to reflect in this way.
Whether your new year began with nature's calendar at the winter solstice, begins with the conventional calendar on Jan 1st or another cultural or natural event--welcoming in a new year often comes with looking back over the past year and thinking ahead to what you want for the coming year. This is a powerful opportunity for inward reflection, setting intentions, and taking thoughtful action so that you feel aligned and empowered as you move into 2024.
It’s also easy to get caught in unhelpful loops of rumination, regret, and self-criticism.
Unlike self-criticism, which asks if you're good enough, self-compassion asks what's good for you?
Dr. Kristin Neff
Why An End of the Year Reflection?
When you bring clarity and gratitude to your year-end reflection you discover a way to consider the past with grace and compassionate honesty. One of the reasons this is so important is that tending to the past this way is actually what allows us to look ahead with curiosity, make new choices, and take action from a place of freedom, genuine self-love, and hope.
Meaningful reflections for the end of 2023 help you discover what you're most proud of, what you want to celebrate in your life, what you learned, and the lessons you're carrying into the new year. This is a wonderful time to write a love letter to yourself!
What You'll Need:
So, get out your journal, pens, crayons, and color pencils. Fill your altar with candles, things you love, and play music that sets the tone for deep reflection. Take all the time you need over the next few days for looking back...looking ahead. Revisit this process anytime!
Celebrating:
What Were Your Mandala Messages?
The focus for Co-Creative Mandalas in 2023 has been on qualities that support your journey toward Freedom. I invite you to invest time toward reflecting on each mandala, the colors and shapes, and the affirmations found in the slideshow below.
Please Note: You can take as much time as you like, move at your own pace, by clicking on the arrows and/or pausing and restarting each mandala slideshow frame.
What messages do the mandalas have for you? Here are some reflective questions to get you started:
1. How did you incorporate the monthly mandala qualities into the mandala of your life?
2. How have you grown? What did you learn?
3. How might you sustain the qualities as you move ahead in to the New Year?
Envisioning:
What is Your Mantra for 2024?
Looking ahead, as part of your intention setting and to help you discover your power word, your theme for 2024, ask:
1. What is your focus, the theme, your mantra for the New Year?
2. What mantra will help inspire and empower you throughout the year?
3. What qualities that support your theme would you like to nurture and integrate into your life during 2024?
Planning:
What Will You Say YES! to in 2024?
As you outline and plan the year ahead, create a vision board, and/or set intentions use these insightful reflections:
1. Where is the best place to focus your energy in the coming weeks and months?
2. What do you want more of next year?
3. How do you want to feel next year?
4. What do you most need in your inner life next year?
This is a wonderful way to begin a new year. We encourage you to revisit this exercise, reflect, and continue to add to your journal--look for miracles, changes, and new insights daily.
Our community members have shared with us that after they consistently invest the time to really listen to their soul's calling with an open heart, miracles both big and small begin showing up in their lives.
Best wishes as your journey continues.
As I sign off for the year, I wish you much love and ease. It is my genuine hope that you feel nurtured, supported and deeply connected in the weeks and months ahead.
Happiest New Year Blessings, love, and Light to you!
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