Today, “is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one.” ~ Brad Paisley

“The object of a new year is not that we should have a new year, but rather that we should have a new soul.” ~G.K. Chesterton

Dear Universe,

Happy New Year Everyone!

I have to say I feel at peace with the transition from 2013 to 2014.  No sadness, no anxiety, just an ease into the new year, without all the stirred, mixed and blended up emotions of leaving the last one behind.

I can’t tell you how fortunate I feel to be able to say that after a couple of years of turbulence and troubles.

I know it’s early still, but so far 2014 is off to a good start.

Last night I ended the year eating my twelve grapes, dumping a bucket of water outside at midnight (no tears in the new year!) and toasting with some champagne.

I went to bed feeling positive and hopeful.

I started this morning by making a coffee and sitting down to open the letter I wrote to myself last New Year’s Day, to be opened today.  It’s a little tradition I’ve done for years.  I love opening and reading what my thoughts were about what was happening in my life and my hopes for the year ahead.

Somewhere along the 365 day journey, I always forget what I wrote so opening it feels like a little surprise present.  Reading today’s letter I was happy to see that a lot of what I wished and hoped for, happened.  It’s almost as though I wrote out what 2013 would be like, which is crazy and incredibly cool.

Other things on tap for today?  Making mimosas!  Eating my traditional good luck New Year’s foods, some meditating, chakra clearing, saging the house to cleanse the energy and of course, writing.

In a little bit I will sit down to work on my letter to be opened on January 1, 2015.  I always try to keep the letter positive and hopeful while I reflect on present happenings.  That way I am not starting off my year by reading something that will only make me sad, nostalgic or teary.  I make some predictions—they are fun to read.  And I don’t typically write resolutions, rather just ideas or hopes I have.

Yesterday I was reading an article about how resolutions don’t really work anyway.  We are good at them for a short time, but typically the goal is so huge, we fail at keeping it up.  If we want to accomplish things, it’s better to work on small, achievable steps.  Makes sense.

Then I saw this list and I wanted to share it.  I think it could be fun to think of the year in terms of little goals we’d like check off.  Fill it out if you are feeling adventurous!  Keep it somewhere you can see throughout your year as a reminder of what you’d like to do.  Then before you know it, the year will be over and maybe you’ll have some things crossed off your list!

Or disregard this list entirely and make your own if you want.  Or don’t do that either!

The point I’m trying to make is that a new year doesn’t need to be daunting, overwhelming or stressful.  Things typically don’t get done when we spend our energy worrying and stressing about them.

If there are things you want to accomplish, work towards them.  If there are places you want to go, save, plan and try to go.  If there are things you want to be better at, work on them a little each day.  Know that some days will be more productive and positive than others.  And that’s okay.

In other words, go easy on yourself.  Most likely, more will fall into place if you are.

There’s a mantra I’ve been using lately that I think is especially fitting on the first day of the new year and I want to share it:

Thank you for all the blessings I have and the ones that are coming my way.

Repeat it the next time you are having a low moment or worrying about what’s ahead.

I hope this year brings everyone exactly what it is they need.  Cheers to 2014!  May it be the best year yet!

Much, Much Gratitude,

A