In many ways the revelry of New Year’s Eve mimics the excess and indulgence of Fat Tuesday, which precedes the defined period of deprivation known as Lent. The ritual of honoring these two extremes allows us to find a balance between them in which to live the rest of the year. Traditionally, there is one area of focus, one hardship undertaken for the duration of Lent. The lesson is that we can learn to live without something we previously felt was integral to our daily lives. Selecting one area of concentration for change is a manageable and realistic goal — though consciously inviting change into one area of life can have ripple effects, allowing change and growth in other areas as well. After Lent, which, psychologically speaking, lasts long enough to allow us to shift our habit of dependence, we can choose whether or not to reclaim the substance or behavior that was released. The point is that it will not hold the same power over us that it once did.
New Year’s Eve is the culmination of the winter holiday festivities, as Fat Tuesday is the culmination of Mardi Gras celebrations. Society’s view of New Year’s resolutions mirrors the declared intentions of Lent; they serve as a foil for the preceding revelry, ostensibly bringing us back into balance. Unfortunately, however, the sense of ritual has been lost. There is no structured time frame to support our resolutions. There is no limit to the number of resolutions we ought to make. The only limit is our own sense of inadequacy. What are we doing that we should not be doing? What are we not doing that we should be doing? We should stop smoking, eat less, exercise more, give up sugar and caffeine, get organized, grow up, conform, become more acceptable versions of ourselves, and generally deny ourselves. New Year’s resolutions seem to be the familiar beating sticks of judgment and shame masquerading under the guise of positive self-improvement. Is it the residual influence of our Puritan roots that demands we commit ourselves to life-long denial in exchange for a night of champagne toasts and midnight kisses? It’s the same admonishing influence that seems to chide that we’ve had our fun, and now it’s time to be good. Is it any wonder that we rebel against striking such a bargain?
We set ourselves up for failure by undertaking more change than is feasible — or change we may not truly want — and then we berate ourselves with further judgment and shame when we fail to meet our own demands. What we miss is an opportunity to invite what we really want into our lives, to set our intentions for the coming year. Perhaps denial is best left to the ritualized structure of Lent. Perhaps a more appropriate focus for January is to select the seeds we wish to plant and nurture in our lives throughout the coming year. What would we like to grow and harvest this year?
To this end, I went back and reviewed the advice I espoused in my herb columns for 2001. Since I write about that which is meaningful to me, I thought it was a good source to mine for my own intentions for the coming year. I would like to share those intentions with you.
From December — Slowing down transforms the swirling, often chaotic energy that surrounds us into a self-contained bubble of peace. The delicate glass spheres of Christmas ornaments — blown glass, originally created with breath — represent this transformation, which is a kind of state of grace. They are outward symbols of meditative mindfulness, a moment suspended in eternity. I intend to keep several glass spheres around my house throughout the year to remind me to slow down, to breathe deeply, the power to transform chaos into peace exists within me in each moment.
From November — What we can do is stand together to nurture and protect the elements that nourish life. We can choose to protect access to clean air, clean water, clean food, open land, and healing plants. We are not in danger of dying; we are in danger of not knowing what it is to be fully alive. I intend to act to protect the elements of life that I cherish. I intend to make my life choices such that at any moment I can say I am not afraid to die — because I have truly lived.
From October — I intend to follow Caroline W. Casey’s exhortation to believe nothing, but be willing to entertain all possibilities.
From September — Incorporating ritual into your life can lend stability when all else is in flux. Essential oils can be used to anoint your chakras at the beginning and end of each day. Specific oils may be chosen to support your individual situation. The Fragrant Heavens and The Fragrant Mind, both by Valerie Worwood are excellent references that address properties of essential oils beyond their physical effects. For anointing, Worwood recommends diluting one or two drops of essential oil in a half teaspoon of organic vegetable oil, preferably almond oil. I intend to reclaim my ritual of anointing myself with oils. It is a simple act that centers and strengthens me.
From August — I intend to include red tea as one of my regularly consumed beverages. Containing up to fifty times more polyphenols than green tea as well as a high level of vitamin C, red tea is naturally caffeine free.
From July — I intend to resist my initial urge to dismiss unknown, uninvited plants (or people) as weeds, without considering their purpose.
From June — For those who are having trouble getting started or feel as though they are taking appropriate actions without attaining the desired results, flower essences may help remove emotional blocks to create physical change. I intend to remember that the support of the universe via flower essences is available to help me move through all of life’s challenges.
From May — Colorful calendula petals (Calendula officinalis) have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties beneficial in treating wounds, burns, acne, dry skin, rashes, and varicose veins. With minimal effort, fresh or dried flower heads can be made into a tincture or infused into oil. I intend to sow calendula seeds in my garden this spring.
From April — Simply choosing to allow flower essences to aid you on your journey can shift your awareness into a more spiritually connected place. I intend to tap into the support of flower essences regularly, not just when I am faced with a crisis.
From March — True giving is not about control. All healing is a miracle, not just physical healing, but emotional, psychological, and spiritual healing. Sometimes the best we can offer is being willing to listen and to pray and to help someone that we love die with peace. I intend to remember to listen, to pray, and to surrender.
From February — I intend to incorporate turmeric (Curcuma longa syn. C. domestica) as a regular part of my diet. Robyn Landis in her book Herbal Defense, states "it is estimated that 500 milligrams (less than one-half teaspoon) of turmeric per day in the diet could eliminate DNA damage characteristic to the development of cancer. Another recent study reported a 68 percent reduction of cancer in animals following treatment with cucumin [one of the active components of turmeric]."
From January — The language of detoxification often suggests an attitude of deprivation, restriction, and penance — as if fasting and cleansing are the price to be paid for poor choices, whether we made them years ago or days ago. Truly caring for the self feels like nurturing, not like deprivation or punishment. Small changes that feel like indulgences: long silent walks, a regular massage, and/or access to a steam room or sauna may provide a point at which caring for your physical self is a positive experience for your whole self. Begin there. Other shifts will occur. Dramatic actions may be chosen in cases of a health crisis, but overall, moderate rituals that are comfortable and supportive are likely to be more beneficial than a strict schedule of inflexible rules. The connection of mind and body will not allow us to be physically healthy at the cost of our peace of mind or sense of joy. I intend to continue learning how to truly care for myself.
I also intend to find out if the flavoring used in Starbucks Gingerbread Latte contains any real ginger, so that I can claim my favorite winter indulgence is actually an herbal tonic. Happy New Year!
DISCLAIMER: Choosing a holistic approach to medicine means choosing personal responsibility for your health care. Herbs for Health offers a doorway through which to enter the realm of herbal healing, an invitation to further investigation on the part of the reader. It is in no way intended as a substitute for advice from a health care practitioner.