2023 has arrived

image by Moritz Knoringer on Unsplash

 Another new year. Times have so changed around our lovely planet of blue. Myself, I feel that our norms are awry, and yet, in my beautiful country - many of us are so lucky, so privileged.

Hopefully 2023 will bring in some of that luck and privilege into even more people's lives around Mother Earth

What is it about a new year? Is it hope? New dreams? How do we keep keeping on with a really nice life, when at least tens of millions cannot?

And yet, I do feel that it is a wise move to keep appreciating and enjoying our own lot, as much as possible. Especially in times of uncertainty. It's like a gift that we are currently being given. I used to feel so guilty about being better off than a large part of our planet's population. I had to learn to accept, enjoy and just be grateful. I'm sure that others have and do, feel that way too.

My easiest, best daily tip:

I have found that little things matter, and that, by appreciating and enjoying them, my happiness level lifts. Try it and see. Those little moments are easy to find. Here are some of mine, just as examples only:

• I have always found that just by being present and admiring sunrise and sunset, gives me such peace, calm, and happiness hormones. I live near the Waitakere Ranges, and they provide stunning sunsets. A joy to behold. Unfortunately, I cannot see the rising sun where I live, and I do really miss that.
• The Quiet Hours. Even though I don't get to see sunrise, I do know that early rising is the best start to my day. Unless I've been unwell, I often wake at six. I'd like to progress to five-thirty a.m. The quietness, the higher levels of prana/life force, in the early morning hours are incredibly uplifting. When I get up on time, I can then fit in meditation, breathing, some simple yoga flexibilities and stretches, as well as a few yoga body sculpting moves with light weights. Honestly - what a difference this makes to everything in my day.
• Children. The hope for the future. I have five grand-adults (they are definitely not children), a toddler grandchild, and a six year old great grandson. I'm very lucky. I know that when I see them, that my whole being changes, inside and out, and the happiness factor sets in. There honestly is no better way to be happy, than to be present with our family.
• Sometimes, I like to "just be". Appreciate a garden, birdsong, trees moving in the wind. Learning to just stop and be, is a wonderful gift to oneself. 
• Since my operation, link is here, I've learnt to appreciate most things even more. On a day when I'm really not feeling good, and I do have quite a few of them, (after effects) I remember how ill I had been, and truly - I say an affirmation, like "thank you Universe".

So, what do I have in store for 2023? To be honest, I'm not really sure. It seems so far that I mostly have in mind:

• restoring my health
• getting fitter
• create new, beneficial life routines. I'm a great believer in this. I find that it creates space to do other things
• put some energy into figuring the next life direction to take 

What about you?