And Another New Year Begins . . .
***UPDATE THIS 21st DAY OF FEBRUARY!***
I just realized that I never posted this Blog. I do not make New Year’s Resolutions, but I do aspire to do better at “things I’d like to do”, but never quite get around to??? Can you relate? I think the reason (different from excuse), is that I was awaiting permission from those photographed. I have since obtained that, so I will now post this, as I begin anew, with the hopes of fulfilling a 40-Lenten Blog journey.
Prayers for three in 2023! New Year’s Eve 2022-2023 at Urban Sanctuary.
At Midnight, on New Year’s Eve, we bid farewell to 2022 and welcomed 2023 in a most special way. We walked into the center of the labyrinth, purging all things we felt we needed to let go of ~ or, did not want to bring with us into 2023. We paused at the center to reflect on specific blessings, and offer our gratitude.
Since I was playing the crystal singing bowls, offering a soothing SoundBath to a delightful couple, pregnant with their first child, I ‘walked’ the labyrinth visually, following their twists and turns, while I reflected upon my own year.
As they walked out, so, too, did I . . . ready to embrace whatever is in store for me in the upcoming days, weeks and months. I am already aware of things that will challenge me, as well as, some that will delight me; riches will be experienced in both.
Surrendering to both the old and new . . . New Year’s Day 2023 at Urban Sanctuary.
I did manage a few hours of sleep, and was back at the Sanctuary with my sister, my YogaFaith Instructor, and best friend, Laurie, for two full classes of YogaFaith on the Labyrinth and with a SoundBath. It was a truly unique experience! . . . one that was held no where else in the world! I can say that with certainty, because I designed & hand-painted the labyrinth we walked, and I curated the special crystal bowls to create a gentle bathing of sound from head to toe, matching the notes that the bowls emit with the Third-Eye, Heart and Root Chakras. Some experienced this bathing while lying in Restorative Yoga poses and others, while walking the labyrinth. Many tears were shed as emotions and feelings rose to the surface, and healing transpired. There was much left on the path, through the placement of touchstones, and tears, but doors were opened to both release the old and unwanted and welcome the new and anticipated.
We are all on a personal journey, on the same path (Earth), but quite often going opposite directions - which we can respect for each other.
My vantage point from the Singing Bowls as I bathed the walkers in a soothing SoundBath. Watching the emotions and varying paces of the individuals, in a group walk is always of great interest and insight. Some hurry to the center, some painstakingly yet, prayerfully slow. Each one must respect not only the pace of others, but their own . . . and, often, the latter is the more difficult of the two.
A Rainbow blesses the Crystal Singing Bowls used for the SoundBaths.
And, a rainbow blesses the entrance to the center of the labyrinth.
There's almost always chocolate available at Urban Sanctuary. This was me “testing” the new bag of Dove* Chocolates . . . this was the “Promise” inside ~ how appropriate. (yes, there were others, and just as profound . . . I won’t say how many I tested, but there were a few more. :-)