Hurray! A brand new year! A new year is always a bit like "starting over." It's a fresh start, a new beginning, a clean slate. It's full of hope and possibilities.

One of my daughter's favorite songs from last year was Natasha Bedingfield's "Unwritten". This is part of the lyrics:

"Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten"

The song is very energizing and every time I hear that song, I remind myself that there are still many blank, unwritten pages in my book, and it's totally up to me what I want to write, draw or paint in it. It really doesn't matter how old I am, what was written on the previous pages, or how many blank pages I have left in my book. The important thing is, every day is a new day, and I get to choose what I want to add to my book. And, as the song goes, "the rest is still unwritten".

This reminds me of a quote I came across the other day.

"We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day."
-- Edith Lovejoy Pierce

What will you write in this new book of Opportunity?

Most people make New Year Resolutions. Instead, I invite you to set your New Year Intentions, i.e. what you intend to experience this year.

First, take a few minutes to review & reflect last year. It's hard to move forward with unfinished businesses from the past. In addition, when you can acknowledge the accomplishments and lessons learned from last year, you can evaluate the effectiveness of your action plan (if you'll continue the projects you started before) and make necessary adjustments for better results this year. You can get some ideas from the featured article from my last newsletter, "Review, Reflect, Rejoice and Re-focus".

When you are reviewing and reflecting on last year, don't forget to ask yourself: "What do I have to finish and/or let go in order to start anew?" Is there someone you need to forgive or ask for forgiveness? Are there some goals/projects on your to-do list that no longer make sense to you? If there were painful experiences last year, what activities/rituals can you do to signify to yourself that you are ready to turn a new page and move forward? Any other unfinished businesses you need to take care in order to move forward?

Don't forget, also, to take a moment to count your blessings and give thanks to the things and people in your life. Gratitude is the best antidote for depression, and when you focus on what's good in your life, it puts you in a higher vibration to attract more good things to you.

When you have done the above, you are ready to set your New Year Intentions. Write down what you intend to experience in every aspect of your life: personal development, Intensive Self-Care, intimate & social relationships, health & fitness, career/business, family & parenting, finance, fun & enjoyment, community service, etc.

Besides the "usual" goals most people set on New Year's Day, you know, better health, exercise more, better relationship/marriage, more money, etc. here are some New Year Intentions I'd like to invite you to consider:

• I will love and accept myself unconditionally
• I will respect myself & others, and expect others to show respect as well
• I will honor my core values and my needs
• I will speak my mind, set good boundaries and say no when I need to
• I will value myself and my time, and choose to spend my time according to my values and priorities
• I will set good boundaries and say no when I need to
• I will carve out time to nurture myself on a regular basis, without feeling guilty or selfish
• I will stand up for myself, for what's right, and for those who cannot do so for themselves
• I will be kind, patient and compassionate to everyone, including myself
• I will trust my intuition (or Higher Self), and trust that the Universe will provide the guidance/resources I need
• I will pursue the goals/dreams that are important to me
• I will empower my children, family, friends, colleagues, customers/clients to do the same

What other intentions can you think of? What New Year Intentions would you set for yourself this year?

When you have written down your New Year Intentions, you need to create a step-by-step action plan to achieve them. I will talk about the specific steps you need to take in my next FREE Teleclass "The 5 Master Keys to Keeping Your New Year Resolutions". This Teleclass is scheduled for Friday, January 12 at 12:00-1:00pm Eastern Time. There is no charge for this Teleclass, but you must register to receive the Bridgeline (conference call) number and the worksheet. For more information and to register:

www.beyondhorizoncoaching.com/newyear.html

P.S. While you're there, don't forget to take a vote in our New Year Resolutions quick poll, and see what other people resolve to do this year.

Labels: commitment, conscious choice, empowerment, goal-setting, Higher Self, Intensive Self-Care, intention, learn to say no, New Year Resolutions, priority, self love, vision