May I Aspire

We are now 11 days into the new calendar year, and trying our best to keep to our resolutions. We’re inspired for the fresh start– with the end of the old, embracing the beginning of the new. We may also find ourselves in a reflective place, with the northern latitude’s season of cold and darkness. A middle ground– between darkness of the solstice and before the light– a space within the old and the new. We may recognize this time for our thoughts and motivations.

You may agree it’s easy to get caught up in the speed of daily life. Soon enough our old habits return. The truth is our habits are stronger than our resolutions. It’s no surprise though as we have been practicing our habits much longer than the new resolution. This year, I changed my new year resolutions into new year aspirations. I believe we need to practice it on a regular basis. Instead of repeating old habits we make it a practice to repeat aspirations. The aspirations become a new habit, a better habit.

Aspiration: ambition of achieving something. Aspirations are inspiring and set us up for a more joyful state of mind. We are not so obsessed with the outcome because making aspirations is in itself complete. How to make aspirations:

Step 1–

Write down your aspirations that reside most deeply in your heart and mind. They begin with the word “May”, such as, “May I accomplish the activity of writing my tasks out daily” “May I stretch upon waking each day” These aspirations are so vast and open-ended that we allow ourselves to expand to a bigger vision.

Step 2–

Repeat your aspirations daily. Add new ones as your inspiration increases, and modify as necessary. Repeat them as much as you like.

Step 3–

Recognize signs of accomplishing your aspirations. This might be successful completion of a project, or change in your outlook on life. You might feel more inspired and optimistic even through challenges. It’s about a natural state of mind.

When we approach our goals by making aspirations, we are tapping into a powerful place in between our desires and accomplishments. This is where we will spend much of our life, aspirations make the bridge between the two. We will keep ourselves in a natural state to move towards accomplishments through aspirations.