Some Thoughts to Ponder before you begin
"Each day that passes, your choices will come and go. They are like diamonds in a chest of jewels, each waiting to be discovered." --Shad Helmstetter
"When you have to make a choice and don't make it, that is in itself a choice." --William James
"It's not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are." --Roy Disney
"The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live." --Flora Whittemore
No matter what happens in our daily lives, we always have a choice. Even if we think there is no other option, there is always something else that can be done. A lifetime of experience has taught me that in any life circumstance I have two choices: to accept things as they are or accept the responsibility for changing them.
Over the past four days, you may have discovered some choices you have made in the past that you would now like to eliminate, change or add to your life. Here is your opportunity to make those changes happen. Take some time to go back and read what you have written over the past four days. Reflect on the wisdom you have brought to the surface about who you are and what is truly important for you.
What four or five things stand out for you?
What is capturing your attention and beckoning to you?
If you could be, do and have anything you want this year, what would you choose? Make a list.
What changes or actions will you have to take this year to bring these wants and wishes into reality?
A few words about setting our sight on what we want...
When we set our sights on something we want, it is important to make it specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time bound (SMART).
If you have chosen something BIG, it is useful to have some smaller "benchmarks" along the way that will get you to your ultimate "goal". Weight loss is a popular goal in the new year and often falls into this category so I'll use it as an example.
It may be much easier for you to focus on the first five pounds, then the next five and so on. It's more realistic and easier to achieve letting go of 5 pounds than focusing on the total weight loss number of say 40 or 50 pounds.
You could walk for an hour a day which reminds me of another way to tackle weight loss. Focus on something else other than *pounds*. Pick out some activities such as walking or swimming.
You can focus on time or distance goals when you walk longer distances or swim 4 or 5 times a week for an hour. The weight will come off over time with more exercise and although weight loss is the primary goal it ends up being a fringe benefit of more physical activity.
Now that you have a good idea of what you want to have in your life in 2011, it's time to create a "treasure map" of the four or five things you discovered are truly important to you and you want to attract and bring into your life in 2011.
Treasure maps are also known under different names: Vision boards, Manifestation Maps, Dream Boards and if you are into Feng Shui, there is even a Feng Shui Treasure Map that is set up in accordance with feng shui bagua areas.
We have all had fun doing this activity at one time or the other so I am going to trust that no instructions are necessary. All you need is a large sheet of paper or bristol board (or some pages in your journal that you set aside specifically for this exercise). At this top of the page, write: "This is what I want to be, do and have in 2011. "
Spend as much time as you want creating your treasure map using photos, magazine cutouts, paint, glitter, buttons, crayons, drawings, balloon thoughts, words, embossed paper cutouts, trinkets, ribbon ... whatever you like! The idea is to dream and have fun. And... you don't have to finish it all in one session. You might even want to invite some friends over and each do a map!
Other possibilities:
Make an altered book and include pockets to stash your "dreams" in. You can find out more about how to make an altered book by joining the Altered Books yahoo group
Create ATC sized cards for each of your "wants, do's or wishes" and stash them in a decorated altoid tin or ATC box
Make a paper bag or pocket book and stuff them with individual tag collages.
BTW If you are interested in learning how to make a pocket book and would enjoy participating in a monthly swap in 2011 to fill up those pockets, you can join The Latest Trends in Mixed Media yahoo group and sign up for the swap.
Any other suggestions? Please leave a comment... it would be helpful for others!
When you are satisifed that your treasure map is complete, sprinkle it liberally with love and fairy dust!
Decorate a large envelope big enough to hold all your papers from this process and your treasure map. You could also decorate a box or create some "wrapping paper" and use some ribbon to wrap your papers in.
On the outside of the envelope or box write "To be opened on December 31, 2011." and stash it in a favourite "hiding spot", a drawer or even under your mattress so that you can dream on it the whole through year. Come New Year's Eve 2011, open it and have a fun time discovering all that you have manifested this year!
Thank you so much for joining me on this journey. I hope you had a wonderful time discovering more of who you are, what is important to you and creating some hopes, dreams and wishes for 2011.
All my very best wishes for a wonderful and magical 2011...
Sharon