THE NEW YEAR:
A TIME FOR REFLECTION
By Michael Turner

        For many people, January is a time for New Year’s resolutions.  But
it can also be a time for reflection and introspection – reflecting on
where we are and how we got here.  And then, having gotten some
perspective, we can turn our attention to the future.  While this may
seem obvious to some, it’s amazing how often we don’t take the time
for reflection.  We stay busy, running on automatic.  Days, weeks,
months and years pass on – at times barely noticed – as we stay in
constant motion.

And then, as a poet once said, “one day you find ten years have got
behind you.”  We blink and wonder how we got here.  Believe me, I know
how it can be.  Even though I am aware of so many things that happened
in the past decade, it still feels like yesterday that we celebrated
the new millennium, and when I held my infant son in my arms.  Now
it’s 2012, the 90’s (and even the 00’s) are receding in the rearview
mirror, and my son is all too rapidly approaching adulthood.  And
resounding in my head is “Woah-oh, what I want to know.  Where does
the time go?”

So, as busy as my daily schedule is – parenthood (as many of you know)
can keep you in constant motion – I consciously choose to make time
for reflection and self-introspection.  I do this not to judge or
berate myself, but to simply gain some perspective on my life.  In
doing so, I take my attention up and become the observer of my life –
as well as my thoughts, memories, emotions, words and actions – noting
things that have happened, things I have thought, said and done,
choices I have made (good and bad), results of those choices (positive
and negative), and any patterns contained therein.  And what I do,
anyone can do.

In doing this we can - from a balanced soul perspective - gain a
better understanding of ourselves, our lives and how we interact with
and affect those around us. We can reflect upon our choices in
thoughts, emotions, habits, words and actions, calmly assess their
results their results, and note how they bring us closer to or
increase our distance from harmony with the Divine Shabda Spirit.
This in turn allows us to consciously tune all of our facets – body,
emotions, memories, habits and thoughts – and bring them into closer
harmony with the Eternal Divine Love that is God.

Going one step further, doing this can be a very valuable tool in
determining the direction we want our lives to take, which can in turn
lead to more successful new year’s resolutions.  This is a positive,
tangible benefit to self-introspection and reflection, and is a very
good way to start off a new year.

In the LightSong of Eternal Love,

Happy 2012!

Michael Turner

http://spiritualfreedomsatsang.org