“The dream is the truth…act and do things accordingly.” – Zora Neale Hurston

 

Even if you tend to be reflective by nature, this time of year that marks the end of the calendar year, is a natural time to look both back – what went well this year, what didn’t, what you learned – and forward, to what you want to create in the coming new year.

 
Reflecting – not to puff yourself up or feed your ego, or shame yourself for mistakes, or because wishing alone will make things true – but because there is important information in your experiences.

 
And there is also important information from what you are learning and longing for to where to point in the future.

 

What I want for you in the new year

 
Pushing our proverbial envelopes, taking risks, being braver: this is what is needed.

 
My spirit and heart ache daily from the suffering I see in my community, my country, and around the world. I struggle against overwhelm and despair at the enormity of the tasks that lie in front of us to heal the physical world, unjust systems of oppression, and the human spirit.

 
Human beings can both do horrible things and perform incredible, amazing acts. And what I know is that we are better working together than separate and apart.

 
What I want for all of us for the coming new year:

 
To use our talents and gifts even more fully: to be less afraid, more of service and use, to help others use their talents and gifts more fully as well.

 
The world needs you, your gifts, and your voice.

 
We can be brave.

 
We can follow our hearts.

 
We can do what is right.

 
And change the world through our actions.

 

Your Turn

Tell me, dear friends, as you reflect on this past year, what are you proud of? What are you glad to let go of? What are you taking into the new year? Let me know in the Comments below.

 
(And if you want more help with wrapping up this year and planning your next year, take a look and download the encore of my free end-of-year mini-retreat. Dream some of your dreams with me.)

 

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Editor’s note: This post was originally published in December 2015 and has been updated for content and relevancy.

 
Photo credit: Unsplash