As I set my intentions with the fresh start the new year brings, I question how I have lived this past year. I look back and search for the moments where I feel I could have done better. This yearI am mindful of the four cardinal virtues of the tao te ching. They provide a framework for reflection. How am I living them? How can I align more closely to them?
Reverence for all of life – love and respect. Have I shown love to others? Have
I respected their divinity? Have I honoured them? Have I been judgmental? Have I seen hope and remembered what all people are capable of? Have I done all I can to show respect for animals and acknowledged the world we share? Have I remembered to appreciate the beauty around me? Have I looked at the sky, the trees, the changing seasons and all the wonderful nature that supports me?
Natural sincerity – honesty, authenticity and simplicity. Have I expressed my truth? Have I lived true to my heart and shown this to the world? Have I avoided hiding behind things, titles, roles and relationships? Have I been me?
Gentleness – kindness and empathy. Have I shown others the gentleness of humanity? Have I chosen to be kind – not just shown acts of kindness, but chosen kind thoughts? Have I remembered the human-ness of people and allowed them to show it without shutting them down?
Supportiveness – service to others. Have I used my talents to help others? Have I done so without thought for reward? Have I enjoyed serving and done it with a cheerful heart? Have I done all that I can?
I love the clean slate of a new year. I love setting off on a new journey. Although I am merely making adjustments to my course, I am doing so with renewed energy, with renewed hope and with renewed spirit.
Step lightly– give some thought to the way you’d like live your life.
