Top 10 New Year's Day Aha Moments
Quote de Jour
It's hard to believe, but in only fifteen weeks, those cherry blossoms will be blooming again.
Writing down the new year for the first time usually feels odd. We might write an check and automatically write 2008 instead of 2009. This morning, I wrote in my dream journal 2009 in fat, black ink. It felt right. Solid. Years ago, I began a habit of making a special note of dreams during the first twelve days of the new year. According to some aboriginal traditions, each of the twelve days corresponds to the twelve months of the year. Each dream has messages about the coming months. I won't get into the details of my scattered and rich dream fragments, but I will share my Top 10 New Year's Day Aha Moments.
1)The colder it is outside, the cozier it feels inside. Yesterday, the biting whiny wind brought below zero temperatures and blinding snow. I didn't step outside all day. The fireplace felt somehow warmer and reading in the bath more luxurious.
2) Moderation has it benefits. By not drinking all the champagne last night, leftovers were used for pomegranate bellinis the next day. Champagne corks cannot be re-inserted into the bottle but cork stoppers from bottles of cognac fit perfectly.
3) You don't need to have the flu to wear a bathrobe on New Year's Eve. What a joy and guilty pleasure not to have to get dressed. No wardrobe panic. No squeezing into dangerous footwear. I didn't even brush my hair.
4) The 1977 Peter Weir film, The Last Wave was the perfect choice to see last night. It remains on my top 10 list of favorite films.
5) Anyone who would brave sub-zero weather for eleven hours at Times Square on New Year's Eve to get a primo spot is hardier than I'll ever be. The only ones hardier were the few souls nearby in White Plains, who braved the elements for the low rent version of Times Square.
6) Whoever invented flannel sheets was a genius.
7) I have a clearer sense of who my real friends are and feel truly blessed.
8) The only New Year's resolution worth having is LOVE YOURSELF. If we stop beating ourselves up and accept ourselves as sacred beings, we will act accordingly. Six weeks after January 1st, 80% of resolutions fail. I'm more interested in why 20% succeed. More about that in future blog entries.
9) Everything can change over night. Literally and figuratively. A stormy night changed to a bright sun in the morning. Don't get too attached.
10) Listen to your body and mind, first thing in the morning. It has something to tell you. Really listen. I often wake up with a song in my head. Today, it was an old song by Rare Earth. The lyrics kept floating in my head like a mantra, "I just want to celebrate another day of living... I just want to celebrate another day of life."
As much as I would have liked to wear a bathrobe today, I did get dressed only because photographing outdoors in a bathrobe is too crazy even for me. The first thing I saw, besides a vivid blue sky, were footprints in front of the house. Another message? I think so.
May the new year bring you back to your own true nature, no matter what direction you travel in.
It's hard to believe, but in only fifteen weeks, those cherry blossoms will be blooming again.
Writing down the new year for the first time usually feels odd. We might write an check and automatically write 2008 instead of 2009. This morning, I wrote in my dream journal 2009 in fat, black ink. It felt right. Solid. Years ago, I began a habit of making a special note of dreams during the first twelve days of the new year. According to some aboriginal traditions, each of the twelve days corresponds to the twelve months of the year. Each dream has messages about the coming months. I won't get into the details of my scattered and rich dream fragments, but I will share my Top 10 New Year's Day Aha Moments.
1)The colder it is outside, the cozier it feels inside. Yesterday, the biting whiny wind brought below zero temperatures and blinding snow. I didn't step outside all day. The fireplace felt somehow warmer and reading in the bath more luxurious.
2) Moderation has it benefits. By not drinking all the champagne last night, leftovers were used for pomegranate bellinis the next day. Champagne corks cannot be re-inserted into the bottle but cork stoppers from bottles of cognac fit perfectly.
3) You don't need to have the flu to wear a bathrobe on New Year's Eve. What a joy and guilty pleasure not to have to get dressed. No wardrobe panic. No squeezing into dangerous footwear. I didn't even brush my hair.
4) The 1977 Peter Weir film, The Last Wave was the perfect choice to see last night. It remains on my top 10 list of favorite films.
5) Anyone who would brave sub-zero weather for eleven hours at Times Square on New Year's Eve to get a primo spot is hardier than I'll ever be. The only ones hardier were the few souls nearby in White Plains, who braved the elements for the low rent version of Times Square.
6) Whoever invented flannel sheets was a genius.
7) I have a clearer sense of who my real friends are and feel truly blessed.
8) The only New Year's resolution worth having is LOVE YOURSELF. If we stop beating ourselves up and accept ourselves as sacred beings, we will act accordingly. Six weeks after January 1st, 80% of resolutions fail. I'm more interested in why 20% succeed. More about that in future blog entries.
9) Everything can change over night. Literally and figuratively. A stormy night changed to a bright sun in the morning. Don't get too attached.
10) Listen to your body and mind, first thing in the morning. It has something to tell you. Really listen. I often wake up with a song in my head. Today, it was an old song by Rare Earth. The lyrics kept floating in my head like a mantra, "I just want to celebrate another day of living... I just want to celebrate another day of life."
As much as I would have liked to wear a bathrobe today, I did get dressed only because photographing outdoors in a bathrobe is too crazy even for me. The first thing I saw, besides a vivid blue sky, were footprints in front of the house. Another message? I think so.
May the new year bring you back to your own true nature, no matter what direction you travel in.
Posted by Layla Morgan Wilde at 1/1/2009 1:13 PM 
Categories: Westchester County, Photography, Spirituality
Categories: Westchester County, Photography, Spirituality
This is a good one, Layla. Happy New Year!
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Wow, Layla, I love your words and photo.
We discovered that we did not have any Champagne, but we had red wine instead.
Today and yesterday, a full day of cleaning before his family came over, which is now.
I have never even heard of Pomegranate Bellinis.
Obviously, I have not lived.
Got a phone call from Montreal today, so that was pleasant.
Beer, wine, Coca Cola, junk food.
I am in Heaven.
Tomorrow, the health club.
need to watch more movies.
Happy New Year, dear Layla!
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Happy New Year Layla. This was a beautiful blog. I'm so glad you decided to get dressed and take this beautiful photo. I hope the New Year brings you good health, lots of love and many blessings.
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Layla, you're a girl after my heart for sure. I'm always inspired by your thoughts, and photos (love the gallery and bridge shot in NYC)I too have always dreaded New Years Eve, and now resigned to a time of reflection, meditation, candles, a fire, the cats, silk pajamas(my new favourite perhaps better than flannel) and cozy in bed by midnight. Did not get out of bed till 3 PM when I had to get ready to go to dinner at friends! Have a good feeling about this year ahead, we will talk soon, love ya. Happy New Year, T.
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Happy New Year Dear Layla!
I celebrated with my grandchildren. It was their fist time experiencing it. We had party hats, poppers and noise makers.
At midnight we marched outside from the back to the front banging pots and pans and yelling "Happy New Year!"
Then we came in for a champagne/sparkling grape juice toast.
(I think they were expecting a bit more from all the build up about it, but they had fun.)
May 2009 bring everything you hope and strive for.
Hugs,
Bobbi K.
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Hey Layla- Happy Gnu Year.
I'm going to try and adopt #10 regularly.
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Dear Layla,
I love how you journal your feelings. Self-acceptance takes a while, but, works wonders...Glad you took the time to take that picture. Here's wishing you a very happy, new year
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Good thoughts. Very good thoughts.
Loving myself has been a long time coming and a long process that is ongoing.
I like the idea of writing down your dreams during the first 12 days. I may not write down my dreams but I am going to try to write my thoughts and musings and where my mind wanders in hope and faith looking ahead and in peace looking at the path behind me.
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Great article Layla, ok, 15 weeks, I think I can make it. LOL May the New Year bring you all things good, wonderful and magical and may you find great success in all you do.
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