This morning I woke after a lovely long sleep (yes, I was tucked in bed at 9:30 last night) to sunshine outside my window! After days of grey and rain, I took this as a welcome omen of the brand new year to come.  A whole new year of possibility, of growth….the coming days seem so shiny and bright (especially when the sun is shining and I have a good night’s sleep under my belt).  I began the day with my book and my tea and then a walk and a pause at the beach. Listening to the calm around me, wishing for the calm I was feeling to last into the coming year.  I returned home to find my family busy with a bonfire, burning some of the Christmas paper.  Now, I admit, I had asked them to recycle it.  However, I too was drawn to the idea of burning away the old.  I wrote down a list of “stuff” I want to let go of and threw it into the flames and released it all.  My eldest joined me in doing this and also wanted to send a wish for 2013 into the fire, to help bring it to light. So we did that too, it seemed a natural and positive progression from the release.  I wrote down my wishes and my word for the year (more on that soon) and felt a spark ignite deep within.  I am so hopeful that this year will be amazing and so thankful that I am sharing it with such an amazing family.

Wishing you and yours all the best for 2013.

P.S. I love the New Year’s traditions of cleansing and purifying for the coming year, of a fresh start.  I have to admit I did not clean the whole house, but I did put a dent in it. The bathrooms and bedding are clean and I can see a couple tabletops.  I thought about taking the Polar Bear plunge while sitting by the sea, but had not come prepared for a dip.  Instead, after our cleansing bonfire, I enjoyed a refreshing Polar Bear Shower in my new outdoor shower (built by my amazing hubby, yes the water is heated).  How do you like to start out a brand new year? I would love to hear about your traditions.