Happy New Year with the Dalai Lama

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Have you seen that birthday card of the Dalai Lama opening his birthday gift and commenting, "Wow, Nothing! Just what I always wanted!"?

As we enter this new year, imagine it as a gift.

Pause to consider the offering, taking your time to appreciate the experience of the moment.

Unwrap it slowly, mindfully.

As you peer inside the box, you, like the Dalai Lama, are thrilled that the box is empty.

Why?

Because you can imagine what your gift, your year, might look like; you can design and create it in your own fashion. And with that energy, and input, your year may just manifest your desires.

Now, don't overdo these musings by wishing for a million dollars, the loss of 25 lbs, a new house, the ideal mate, perfect health or the job of your dreams. Instead, focus on what may cause that type of imagery to manifest...imagine yourself content, kind, giving, loving, dedicated, effective. Fill your present with practices that keep you grounded and able to roll with the fluctuating weather and life conditions that are sure to arise.

Recycle the container and wrapping paper...there are always good things to carry over from year to year.

But then, symbolically recognize and release habits, thought-patterns and actions that may have sabotaged you in the year just past - why recycle that which has not served you?

Embrace the present that is every day.

Appreciate the journey that has led you to this new beginning.

Lynn Medow, E-RYT 500, is a compassionate teacher who supports individuals on their journeys to healing and wholeness. An experienced yoga teacher and yoga therapist, Lynn weaves therapeutics into group classes and private sessions. Lynn is the owner of Yoga by Design, a pioneering approach to individualized teaching and therapeutics that earned her a reputation for being the "go-to" person when it comes to questions of healing. Lynn is also the founder of the Yoga by Design Foundation, which funds yoga programs for under-served populations, has produced the DVD, Yoga for Graceful Aging and appears in the book, Like Stanzas in a Poem, Yoga at the Wall.

Look forward to the presence to come.

Have a happy & blessed 2013!!!!