Wow.  We’re halfway through the first month of 2012.  Half way!  If you’re like me, it feels like perhaps someone put you in a time machine on New Year’s Day and you emerged two weeks later, dazed and confused.  Perhaps you’re a little freaked out because that’s 1/24th of the year already gone, GONE!!!  And such a long list of things that were going to be different or fantastic about this year – what’s been checked off? – what’s been accomplished? – what new habits are fully in place, little stickers on the calendar marking their completion?  Yoga, breathing, eating, exercising, being nice, not cursing, going to bed at a decent hour, no more time-wasting on YouTube/Facebook/Twitter/Hulu.

No yelling, instead being like the Dalai Lama, a walking paragon of peace and equanimity, never even thinking an angry thought.  Magically having time to live, work, make healthy and delicious meals full of fruits and vegetables, plus enjoy quality time with spouses/friends/family/children/neighbors/pets.  While we knit/sew/draw/photograph/paint beautiful creative pieces.  And keep the place clean – don’t forget that!

Do you- on this holiday to honor a wise and fabulous man who saw the big picture, even if he was still a human with his own foibles – do you look around and wonder where the heck January went?  Did your stickers fall to the wayside on January 4th? (Or 3rd, or 2nd?)  Are there dust bunnies lurking in the corner?  Have you had fast food?  Or an angry thought? Or perhaps a screaming match with a loved one?  Do you want to throw up your hands, dive back under the covers and say, forget it – I’ll try again in 2013?

Well, I’m here to tell you (and myself) to settle down.  Take a breath.  Look out the window.  Even better, go outside.  Even if it’s cold.  Just step out there and breathe the air and remind yourself that you’re alive.  Drop your plans.  Ask the little part inside you, the one that maybe doesn’t get to weigh in often enough, what one thing you’d most like to do today.  And just do that.

Me?  I didn’t make any resolutions this year.  I was too immersed in wordlessness and oneness.  My plan’s been to approach things a little more openly this year.  Stay present.  I know I’ll get things done – I always do!  And I have a lot more energy to make things happen if I’m not beating myself up for the 37 items on a too-long list of goals and plans that didn’t get done.  I’ll keep you posted about how it goes.  So far, so good!