New Year's Rites of Renewal

For Beyond 50's "Personal Growth" talks, listen to an interview with Rev. Kathleen McKern Verigin of Anam Cara Connections in Oregon.  She'll talk about the transition into the New Year as a great opportunity for reflecting and releasing, while also visioning and celebrating.  In that order, says Rev. Verigin.  A seasoned ceremonialist, she guides individuals and groups through a four-part Rites of Renewal Ritual, referred to in the book "Celebrate the Solstice." You'll learn about how to use the entire month of January for this four-part process.  January is named after the Roman god Janus, depicted with two faces—one on the front of his head, and the same face on the back.  January was considered “a time between time.”  Discover how you can use this time to to help launch this new year as your best year ever!

     Skip the Resolutions and Try This:

As an exercise for the New Year, Rev. Verigin suggests that you choose a one-word intention to guide you like an "arrow."  In previous years, she chose the words ACTION and ALLOW.  Other great ones to work with as examples are FREEDOM, HARMONY, PEACE and LOVE.  By integrating your intention word into your language, decision-making, and actions on a daily basis, you can more easily move your toward your desired goal(s).

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