PRACTICAL VISUALIZATION FOR A NEW YEAR

One thing life has taught me is that when you make huge changes fast there is a price to pay for that. My life was riddled with sudden stops and turns and throwing away everything to replace it with a better vision of what I wanted. Eventually that way of living wore me down and meant leaving friends behind each time and making new friends. This got harder and harder as time progressed. Then I did it again. I've made visualization, spiritual practice and prosperity principals a regular, daily practice for more than 25 years. Patience will reap benefits I promise you. If you always come back to your practice when sidetracked, without lots of negative self talk for straying off course, then regular, repeat attempts at these techniques will definitely pay off over time. Sometimes when you ask for more you lose what you've got. We ask for a change and then we're surprised when life throws a curve ball that we didn't like in order to respond to our request. In the end we get to that place that we had visualized. When we arrive there it is usually not at all what we expected. It can be exactly what we tried to create but there might be a let down and disappointment after the novelty of it all wears off. Here are some steps you can try to set up realistic plans for the coming year. We have some control over what happens but sometimes the universe has other plans for us.

1. I suggest that prior to New Year's Day you make a few hours for yourself to reflect on where you are. You can  visually picture the details or write it all down. If taking a reflective walk is the best way for you to do this, then do that. DO WHATEVER WORKS FOR YOU. The purpose is to reach a place of acceptance. First accept where you are today. Face the reality of your situation.

2. Next think about, or write down, the things that you are most unhappy with. (common ones are financial, weight, lack of exercise, poor health, unhappy with present relationship(s)).

3. Start with one from this list that you want to focus a lot of attention on. Do your version of meditation. It can be lying down on your bed with your eyes closed and breathe slowly. Whatever you have found is a good way for you to relax, keep it simple and make a daily 10 minute practice of this.

4. With that category on your list, imagine one small way that you can change your daily routine that would have some impact on this problem. If it's your weight, imagine yourself getting on the scale 1x/ week; or using a phone app to log your calories. Pick a small action step that is doable. For finances, picture yourself gaining control. Again, everyone has their own methods, but whatever your method is, see yourself doing that. Use visualization to see yourself taking action steps.

5. Before the end of the year write down a brief paragraph after you have practiced this a few times. See yourself at this time next year having moved forward in all of these areas. BE REALISTIC about what can be accomplished in the months to come in order to avoid arriving at December 2016 in the same place or worse off than you are now. Unexpected things happen in a year, work on being resilient and forgiving of yourself if anything like that happens in this coming year. Expect the best, of course, but also know that you can handle whatever challenges come your way.