Mondo Beyondo

So I decided to do Mondo Beyondo 2008. What is that you ask? Well, it's something I wasn't going to do, and then I changed my mind. I changed my mind because for the first time in many many years I did pretty much no reflection on the past year and really no thought about the coming year. I like doing stuff like that. I feel like I want to grow as a person. Not just let the days pass by mindlessly like they seem to do lately. So if your interested in reading more about it head on over to Superhero Journal. And if your interested in what I have to say, read on.

THE CHALLANGE (as set out by Andrea at superhero)
My challenge for you is to answer the following questions and declare 2007 complete. Rituals can often be even more powerful when others can witness you. You are welcome to do this exercise privately, but I suggest sharing with a friend and/or posting your lists here.

1. What do you want to acknowledge yourself for in regard to 2007?
(What did you create? What challenges did you face with courage and strength? What promises did you keep to yourself? What brave choices did you make? What are you proud of?)
This year I learned how to handle life with a baby and two toddlers. I'm proud of myself despite my many mistakes. I'm proud I did my best despite moving to a new town away from family and friends, feeling alone with a newborn and a 3 and 4 yr old. I'm proud I went to mom's groups even when I was overwhelmed with leaving the house sometimes. I'm glad I did. I'm proud I opened my etsy shop this year.
2. What is there to grieve about 2007?(What was disappointing? What was scary? What was hard? What can you forgive yourself for?)
This year I forgive myself for not being patient with the kids, for yelling sometimes. I forgive myself for watching more tv than I would like. I forgive myself for letting myself drift spiritually. I forgive myself for not being more loving and encouraging to John, and for being grumpy when there was no need to be. I forgive myself for not being more happy this year, because there was alot to be happy about. I forgive myself for being stubborn and pessimistic.
3. What else do you need to say about the year to declare it complete?
This year was really really hard and yet amazing at the same time. Watching my kids grow and change so much has been everything to me this year. 2007 I declare you over, complete, finito.
The final step is to consider your primary focus for the year to come. What is your primary intention or theme for 2008? Is it the year of joy? the year of self-care? the year of partnership? Stand up and say it proud, "2008 is my year of...."

2008 this is my year of JOY. I will try to find joy in my everyday life. In my marriage. In my motherhood. In my relationship with God. Everyday do my best to find joy, make joy, be joy, seek joy.

Ok there you go. I must say I felt this was a little too self help weird for me, but in sitting down and writting all this out in my journal it was really emotional and I really did feel a sense of release and a feeling of newness as I put to rest the last year, and stated my plan for '08. So anyway thanks for reading, there is a part 2 coming soon.