mondo beyondo (part one)

from SuperHero

...be part of Mondo Beyondo 2008...

The surest way to start fresh and move forward is to be at peace with what came before. You might have had an incredible year, a dull year, or a truly difficult year. Whatever happened, your aim is to celebrate what there is to celebrate about it and grieve what there is to grieve...

Are you with me people?

My challenge for you is to answer the following questions and declare 2007 complete. Rituals can often be even more powerful when others can witness you. You are welcome to do this exercise privately, but I suggest sharing with a friend and/or posting your lists here. You are in good, safe company. (Feel free to post anonymously)

1. What do you want to acknowledge yourself for in regard to 2007?
(What did you create? What challenges did you face with courage and strength? What promises did you keep to yourself? What brave choices did you make? What are you proud of?)

2. What is there to grieve about 2007?
(What was disappointing? What was scary? What was hard? What can you forgive yourself for?)

3. What else do you need to say about the year to declare it complete?

Okay, the next step is to say out loud, "I declare 2007 complete!" How do you feel? If you don't feel quite right, there might be one more thing to say...

The final step is to consider your primary focus for the year to come. What is your primary intention or theme for 2008? Is it the year of joy? the year of self-care? the year of partnership?
Stand up and say it proud, "2008 is my year of...."

(Mondo Beyondo Part Two: Where are you going? is coming soon)

"The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be the beginning." -George Baker

here are mine:

1. What do you want to acknowledge yourself for in regard to 2007?
(What did you create? What challenges did you face with courage and strength? What promises did you keep to yourself? What brave choices did you make? What are you proud of?)

I am proud of myself for continuing to survive despite not having a true place to call home. This will continue to be a struggle for 2008, although there are improvements given that we have committed to a home base at least until spring.

I also stood up to B's parents. I am not sure it did me much good, but I didn't just cave and turn to mush.

I am glad that I sent out another set of mother's day postcards. And the Christmas card project has also grown.

I am also grateful that we have continued to return to the Bay Area as often as we have. There is just something about that place that makes me feel more alive.

Oh, and I also walked on a treadmill for the first time in my life. And visited Oregon and Washington.

2. What is there to grieve about 2007?
(What was disappointing? What was scary? What was hard? What can you forgive yourself for?)

The hardest loss was the break in at the storage space. I think part of it is not knowing exactly all that was lost, but also just that feeling of violation. It didn't help that much of what was taken were things I had bought to keep me sane and to hold onto the hope that we would find a place to call home. Thinking about things to put on the wall or cups that I would serve tea to visitors made me feel like there was something to look forward to. Taking those things felt like that hope was choked.

I am disappointed in myself in that although I have been keeping it together, I have successfully managed to isolate myself. I continue to grieve the loss of my family. I also need to take better care of myself physically and mentally.

3. What else do you need to say about the year to declare it complete?
I can't believe that we have been engaged for eight years and that we have known each other for almost 20. I know I haven't been the best partner and need to work on that.

I also haven't been the best friend. I am sorry for that.

I declare 2007 over.

2008 is the year of reaching out to people and creating a 'family'.

on the night stand :: The Godmother