I am not one of those people who have New Year’s Resolutions, but I do have intentions for a better year. I feel the New Year offers a chance of rebirth, a fresh start, a cleaning away of the old to make way for the new. Over the years, I’ve developed an exercise for myself and my clients to enhance the process of cleansing from the last year and welcoming a fresh, abundant new year into your life.

I do this exercise once a year, sometimes in January or around my birthday in the springtime. I don’t think the calendar date matters as much as your own personal desire for a clean slate and a new beginning.

First, write down everything you did not like about last year. No censoring. Include all your disappointments. Difficulties in love. Financial struggles, fights with family or coworkers. Concerns with health. The loss of someone you love. Ended relationships. Possibly the loss of a beloved pet. Moments you let others down, even yourself. Get everything out.

This may bring you to tears: that’s ok. Let it out. By writing these experiences you can release the negative energies that tie you to the past.

Once you have finished, read through the pages. Upon finishing say out loud, “I am grateful for the lessons I have learned from these experiences. I now release myself of the past and the pain.” Then destroy the pages through burning, or the like. Once the pages are completely gone, say out loud, “I welcome love, joy and abundance into my life today and every day.”

Now write out all the things you did like about this past year. Things you’ve learned. New relationships. Advances in your career. Family. Vacations. Spirituality. Great books or movies that have stayed with you. Write about any experience that brings you profound love for others or yourself. Acknowledge all the gifts this year has brought into your life.

Again by writing it all out you experience the joy of those moments all over again. It becomes tangible and more real. Once you’ve completed the pages, read through them and then say out loud, “I am grateful for the love I have received and freely given. I am blessed. Thank you.” Set the pages aside for later.

The next part is truly my favorite part of this exercise; write a letter to yourself. The letter is everything you would like to see happen or accomplish this next year. I divide the letter into seven parts; self, career, financial, relationship with significant other, health, motherhood and spirit.  In each of the seven sections, ask yourself these questions; 1.  How do I want to feel about this aspect of my life this year?  2.  What will I do differently this year?  3.  What do I want it to look like?

For example, take your finances, say you are in financial difficulty today, here’s how to get specific…In 2009, I discover balance and unbelievable financial independence.  I feel confident in the abundance that continues to flow into my life by the reality all my credit card debt is paid off easily and effortlessly in 2009.  I am comforted by money now, instead of stressed.  I will stay focused on the big picture and not get pulled down by my own fears of “not enough”.  I now accept the blessings and good fortune that come directly into my life, every day… 

Please feel free to modify the seven sections identified above to fit your life. Everything you write down is for your best life. Think big and stay positive. Dream the very best year and write it down. Be specific. Your thoughts become words, your words become deeds and your deeds build your life. Notice any “what ifs” or fears that come up as you write and let them go.  I encourage you to not be distracted by any negative thoughts and stay focused on your very best year.Personally, I have struggled with fear my entire life. I read somewhere once that, “fears are dragons that keep us from our most precious treasures.” For me those treasures are love and freedom. What are your most precious treasures? What blocks you from those treasures?

Once you have completed the letter and are satisfied with it, take this letter and the pages you set aside previously and put them in an envelope. Address the letter to yourself, place a stamp on it and put it in the mail. This is very important: DO NOT SKIP THE POSTAL SYSTEM. The message must go out into the universe, freeing you to receive your most abundant year ever. When I get the letter back in the mail, I don’t open it. I put it in a drawer, knowing my message has been received and the universe is conspiring to make it so.

I have been doing this exercise for several years with great success. Not everything works out the way I envision. Sometimes it is even better and sometimes not, but I am always surprised. This exercise helps you release the negativity and pain of the past year thus not bringing it into the New Year. It also allows you the opportunity to bring the good things of the past into the next year. Most of all it opens the door to a more abundant life in the New Year.  May it be so.