new year shui

The January edition of Redbook has a great article that included things you can do to make this your best year ever. Here are a few fun ones:

*Clean your entire house before New Year's Day. If you're like me and that's just way toooo much then concentrate on your kitchen, since this is a space that represents your health, happiness, and prosperity. Never, ever clean on New Year's Day itself as this is thought to "sweep" all the good luck and fortune headed your way. So quick, grab a mop and clean and get to scrubbin' the kitchen...you've got less than seven more hours before the new year!

*Don't' refer to anything in the past of New Year's Day itself. Think, speak, hope and dream only of those things you wish to bring into your life (similar to setting an intention like we do before yoga class ;-)

*Be extra mindful of the words you choose to use on New Year's Day. Try not to lose your temper, whine or curse. And what ever you do, please don't cry. Tradition says that crying on this day can trigger a whole year of bad, bad things. So please, not even any happy tears!

And these two were my faves:

*If you are at home at midnight when the year turns, open all doors and windows (I know it's cold, but only for a few moments) to let the previous years energies out and allow some new interesting ones to come in. As an added bonus, bang some pots and pans together making a general ruckus (and possibly waking neighbors). This is said to scare away and negativity headed your way.

*The very first words uttered to you when the year turns will have a HUGE impact on your fortune and the upcoming 12 months. So choose carefully who you'll be with at midnight tonight. Have them whisper, shout or sing some inspiring and uplifting words to you....think happiness, health, love, and prosperity.

You can find this and other good stuff in Make This Your Lucky Day.

And if you haven't heard, the New Year's Detox Flow workshop for tomorrow has been cancelled. Seems like you yogi's plan to watch football and sleep late. I'm planning to do a nice practice myself followed by setting intentions for the new year....not even gonna think about the past year tomorrow. Only looking forward to bigger, better, brighter, and more beautiful things. Have a joyous and safe New Year.