Light on the Path: Releasing with gratitude and embracing with enthusiasm

The countdown to year's end has begun, and many of us are reflecting on the joys and sorrows of 2012, as well as setting our intentions for 2013.

The best way I know to release what has been is with genuine gratitude, not only for the good experiences, but also for the gifts and lessons received from those less pleasant. Certainly, people agree that it is important to turn our attention away from bad memories with forgiveness and gratitude, but not everyone is aware that even the wonderful happenings are to be released as well.

Ralph Waldo Emerson suggested we learn to hold our good a little more lightly, letting go of beautiful experiences in order to make way for better ones. He said, “We let go our angels, that our archangels may appear.”

How shall we proceed to move gracefully from the past year to the next? We can begin by reviewing the past twelve months, listing that for which we are genuinely thankful, blessing all the people who have brought love and goodness to our lives. Next, we can note what has been difficult, painful, even shocking, and decide to reframe these experiences by extracting the gifts we have received from them, as such gifts are always available when we honestly seek them.

Begin to let go of resentments, regrets, and sorrows, as you do not wish to take such negative feelings into a fresh, new year. Allow a sense of compassion to move you toward actual forgiveness for those you feel may have acted erroneously (including yourself.)

Now, give thanks for all the good that has transpired, and release it, as well, in preparation for greater good to manifest in your life. Finally, with this clean slate, begin to dream a new dream for yourself, your loved ones, and the world. Let these imaginings come from your heart, realizing that this is the source of true inspiration. Then, move forward on a new trajectory, inviting great enthusiasm to lead you into one marvelous experience after another in the new year.

As Goethe proclaimed, “Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it.”

Rev. Dr. Maxine Kaye serves as interim minister at Yuma Center for Spiritual Living. To receive daily inspirational messages, go to TheConsciousConnections.com.