THIS will be the year I lose weight! THIS will be the year I pay off the credit card! THIS will be the year I quit my miserable job! Sound familiar? New Years resolutions are often a culturally-sanctioned opportunity to beat ourselves up about our perceived failures. We put intense pressure on ourselves at the beginning of the year, determined that this time the resolutions will stick. Then when we fail to lose weight or save money, for example, we use this as evidence to hold against ourselves that we are greedy, or lazy, or irresponsible, incapable of achieving our goals. Last January, I joined a gym, convinced I would go. I cancelled the direct debit in February, not having been once, feeling miserable that my resolutions to be healthy and save more money had failed. Looking back, this was a ridiculous resolution. I hate the gym!
Setting New Years resolutions in this way is unhelpful because it is based on the idea that we are lacking, broken, or failing in some way. True personal growth can occur only when we realise that we are enough, exactly as we are, right now. Putting conditions on our own worth, whether that’s weight loss, getting out of debt, exercising more or finding a new job, will only reinforce our own beliefs that we are only good enough IF. But the truth is, we are not only good enough IF. You are good enough, full stop. Resolutions based on the premise that there is something wrong with us that needs to be fixed, are counter-productive, likely to fail, and simply provide another way for us to make ourselves feel inadequate.
But the custom of making New Years resolutions is an ancient tradition which can be a valuable tool for personal change if approached in the right way. Each year the ancient Romans made promises of self-improvement to the god Janus, after whom the month of January was named. Janus had two faces looking in opposite directions, one staring at the recent past and one gazing into the future. In Roman mythology, Janus was the god of new beginnings, transitions and doorways.
I think we can learn from the ancient Romans approach to making resolutions and the symbolism of the god Janus. Looking back on the past year, what have you achieved that you set out to achieve? What were the highs and the lows, the turning points?
For me personally, this has been a year of great personal change. I had a beautiful wedding, I went travelling to amazing places, I spent a lot of wonderful time with friends and family. I’ve felt more creative than I have in several years. But I also got into more debt than I am comfortable with, experienced burn-out twice in one year, was signed off sick from work for a month with anxiety and quit two jobs spur-of-the-moment with no other job to go to. Looking back on the year, I’m able to better understand where I need to direct my energy in the coming year, what I need to work on, how to live a life that nourishes me.
With Janus’ future-gaze, we can start to envision more clearly how we want to live from one day to the next. What doorway do you now stand in? What transition do you need to make this year?
One way of developing these ideas, as an alternative to the traditional format of New Years resolutions, is creating a vision-board. A vision-board is simply a collage of images and text, whether put together physically with magazine cuttings, doodled pictures and glue, or compiled digitally by searching for relevant images.
Above is my vision-board for 2015, as an example (click to enlarge). The key to creating an effective and inspirational vision-board is for it to be a completely personal creation, so no two will ever be alike.The vision-board should be a visual representation of your intentions and hopes for the coming year. You can include specific aims or goals if you like, but make them achievable and enjoyable. The purpose of a vision-board is to focus on the positive aspects of your life, the opportunities and challenges you are looking forward to, rather than the more negative connotations of traditional New Years resolutions. It can act as a reminder of your priorities, an affirmation that you are on the right path. Once you’ve completed a vision-board, it’s a good idea to hang it somewhere it will be seen every day. There it can serve as a reminder to be true to yourself and to work steadily towards your dreams and goals, one step at a time.
Today is the Winter Solstice, an astronomical event which is significant because it marks the shortest day and longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere. Throughout history almost all cultures and religions, reaching as far back as the Neolithic period, have had a celebration of fire or light during the winter months around the Solstice. The celebration of the Solstice is a reflection of the changing of the seasons and the rebirth of the Sun; from this day onwards until the Summer Solstice in June, the darkness begins to recede and days grow longer.
Saturnalia, the Roman festival of the solstice, was a precursor to many of the traditions we uphold today during December, such as the use of evergreens to decorate the home and the exchange of gifts. The celebration of the winter solstice known as Yule, found in Scandinavia and Britain many years before Christmas was introduced, was originally of Viking origin. Many of our Christmas traditions derive from Yule festivities: decorating trees, making wreaths, Yule logs and mistletoe are all remnants of the ancient winter solstice festivities. In fact, it is now generally thought that the date of Christmas, 25th December, was introduced in order to integrate Christian beliefs with the already existing celebrations of Saturnalia and Yule and facilitate people’s conversion to Christianity.
Besides the celebration of Christmas in the form we know it today, upholding the celebration of the Winter Solstice is valuable in its own right as a way of honouring the changing of the seasons. The Ancient Celts illustrated the natural rhythms of the year using the symbol of a wheel, constantly turning bringing life, death and rebirth. I believe humanity has an innate, ancient, deep and intuitive connection to this rhythm of nature.
In our fast-paced, modern lives however, we can begin to lose our sense of connection to the natural world and its rhythms. The Winter Solstice can help us to reorient ourselves to the ebb and flow of light and dark, life and death, both in the external world and within our own psyche. On the shortest day, when darkness is at its peak, we can rely on the promise of growing light, the symbolic rebirth of the sun and all that nourishes us within ourselves – whether that is the warm glow of love, creativity, servitude or happiness.
The Winter Solstice is therefore the perfect day to set intentions. Generally we set resolutions for the coming year on New Years Day, but the symbolism of the Solstice provides the perfect opportunity to align our intentions for the seasons to come with the rhythms and cycles of nature. We can reflect on the strength and resilience we have found during the darkest times of the year and nurture these moments of insight, love and creativity. Despite the skeletal trees and bare earth around us, we can focus on the life sleeping within them, saving their energy and awaiting the warmth and sunlight on its way.
What will nourish you throughout the winter, and how will you plant seeds for it to grow during spring?
“I am the light that dawns at the edge of the world. I am the silent seed that sleeps in the soil. I hold within me the potential of all that I may yet be. I am the Winter’s dream. I am the sun reborn. I am the spirit of light set free.” – Amy Riddle
Music is one of the most powerful ways to tap into our emotions, renew intentions and inspire motivation when we most need it. Looking towards 2015, I’ve been creating a playlist of fifteen songs or artists that have particularly moved me throughout this year, or which encapsulate some aspect of the actions, dreams, ambitions, thoughts or feelings I’m focusing on as we take our next spin around the sun. At the Happiness Collective we believe there’s beauty to be found in every genre and so I have included songs both new and old, from artists little-known to well-known – so approach my suggestions with an open mind and heart 🙂
To access these songs as a Spotify playlist, click here
Willy Mason – Oxygen
This is a beautifully simplistic song with a powerful message of peace and unity. Willy’s lyrics manage to simultaneously inspire hope while acknowledging that it can be tiring and difficult living under and working against the oppressive powers of governments, industries, pharmaceutical companies and the media. I first heard this song several years ago, but I still listen to it regularly to remind myself of what we still have to fight for and that it really is possible to change the world, one little bit at a time.
“We can speak louder than ignorance ’cause we speak in silence every time our eyes meet”
Billy Rowan (AKA The Undercover Hippy) – Borders
Billy Rowan’s impassioned response to prejudiced attitudes towards refugees and asylum seekers is a celebration of our shared humanity and a call to look more deeply at the issues we’re confronted with in the media. Particularly relevant in 2015 with the general election looming and UKIP taking advantage of anti-immigration sentiment by ‘stoking up the national pride’, this song asks us to re-examine our attitudes and view the world with greater compassion and empathy.
“They put up the borders that separate us from our fellow human beings, emphasising difference instead of seeing the reflections that connect us, connections that perfect us, similarities of factors that affect us”
MC Xander – Spaceship Earth
Seeing MC Xander’s amazing beatboxing at Sunrise Festival was once of my highlights of 2014. His conciousness-raising lyrics are inspiring, setting sights higher to the next stage of evolution for humanity – a vision of a future where we take responsibility for ourselves and the damage we are inflicting on our planet through our selfishness. ‘Spaceship Earth’ reminds us that taking responsibility is not just a means of assuaging our guilt but is a way of life which starts by looking deeply within ourselves.
“Is this living of ours living up to the vision or does this revolution stop at your coffee cup?”
Dizraeli & The Small Gods – Never Mind
Not known for holding back, poet-rapper Dizareli isn’t afraid to offend. But despite the borderline-rude lyrics, this song has an infectious beat and there’s no arguing with the sentiment of the chorus which will be stuck in your head for days! This will have you dancing and remembering what life is all about.
“Never mind, it doesn’t matter what you look like. All that matters is you dance, ’cause it’s a very very short life”
Martha Tilston – Good World
This is the tune I go to whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed by the negativity in the world. When you’re opening yourself up to learning about the corruption in our political systems, the greed of corporations or the pain of others, it is necessary sometimes to step back and take care of yourself by gaining perspective. Yes there is a lot of suffering, but it is also fundamentally a ‘good world’ and there are always new possibilities to start over and build a brighter future.
“I think maybe, if I sing this over and over again like a mantra, it will manifest somehow”
Crystal Fighters – Bridge of Bones
Crystal Fighters’ music is simultaneously infectiously uplifting and emotionally raw. ‘Bridge of Bones’ is more chilled than their usual dance tracks and I’ve listened to it a lot over the past year whenever I’ve needed to find inner strength and motivation. It combines a sense of emotional clarity with a hopeful theme of redemption within a relationship – whether that’s with ourselves or others.
“Shine your light and show me a way to forever”
Broken Boat – Peace and Quiet
A shout-out for a local band, Broken Boat are St Albans based mishmash of folky bluesy loveliness with quietly disarming, sensitive lyrics. ‘Peace and Quiet’ is a soulful acoustic exploration of how the goalposts keep moving in life; we might think that all we need is peace and quiet, but it ends up being the chaos of love or purpose that brings us alive. This year I’ve really identified with the cycle of getting into a ‘hopeless mess’ and learning when to say goodbye… next year, it’s all about looking for purpose.
“Peace and quiet are easy to find, it’s purpose that I’m looking for”
Ben Howard – Old Pine
‘Old Pine’ is a song that just seduces you to throw responsibilities out of the window and live in the moment; a call to kick off your shoes and run to the woods! I’ve visited some amazing places this year, the travel bug has truly returned and I can sometimes feel a twinge that in day to day life I have few opportunities to satisfy my wanderlust. But this song reminds me that there’s no need to spend lots of money travelling to exotic places to reconnect with nature; just a few days spent camping amongst the trees, breathing in fresh air as the sun rises, can rejuvenate as much as expensive holidays. There’s magic everywhere if you look for it. For me, this is definitely the way to go in 2015; more freedom, less expense.
“As the old pine fell, we sang just to bless the morning”
Wiggzaro – Joy
With a contagious happy energy, ‘Joy’ is an unendingly optimistic celebration of life. A strange crossover between starry eyed festival jam (‘I got lost in the void!’) and Europop holiday tune, you will either love it or hate it. But I defy you not to start wiggling even just a little bit while listening! The video is fantastic too (and dance-walking is a thing?! Sign me up!) Roll on 2015’s festie season!
“Within my soul, I see a place where peace resides and we live in grace. In harmony with nature where joy surrounds, this place of love can be found.”
Paolo Nutini – Iron Sky
‘Iron Sky’ is a powerful outpouring from Paolo Nutini far removed from his earlier work. The controversial short film accompanying the song is at times distressing, perplexing and inspiring but works brilliantly with the lyrics which call for us all to see the corruption in society and rise above the lies we’ve internalised. It’s both a call for a revolution of the heart and a sign of growing conciousness.
“Mass confusion spoonfed to the blind serves now to define our cold society”
Gaz Brookfield – Be the Bigger Man
Gaz Brookfield dedicates this song to anyone who has ever been bullied, and its video sends a powerful message that ‘it gets better’. I’ve seen Gaz perform it live several times and they have been some of the most impassioned performances I have ever seen. There are few people who won’t identify with the lyrics on some level and it serves as an important reminder to always be a little kinder than necesssary.
“I’ll walk away in peace, ’cause I am always going to be the bigger man”
Dreadzone – For a Reason
‘Everything happens for a reason’ is a phrase that I often tell myself and others in difficult times; it’s also somewhat a family motto. Although I don’t necessarily believe in fate or destiny, I do believe that when we look back at the blockades along the road, it’s possible to see how they forced us out of our comfort zones or led us to better things. ‘For a reason’ enshrines this idea and reminds me that the only thing that is constant is change; we shouldn’t be afraid of it, we just have to adapt as best we can and keep rooted in the present.
“Bring in sunshine for every season and spread the light of love and unity”
Emmy the Great – Cassandra
I’ve chosen this song partly because Emmys are few and far between (and we’re all great!) and partly because ‘Cassandra’ tells the story of a tragic myth which seems to become increasingly relevant as years go by. In Greek mythology, Cassandra was a woman who was driven insane by a curse which caused her to forsee great catastrophes yet have no one believe her prophecies. This year I’ve been thinking about how sensitive and empathetic people are routinely exploited, dismissed and ignored, with dire consequences for their mental health and wellbeing. We can also hear echoes of Cassandra in environmental issues, amongst those who work to persuade corporations, governments and societies of the dangers of climate change, fracking and fossil fuel use. We can all see the catastrophes ahead if we open our minds, but often when speaking up it feels like the truth will never be admitted by those causing, and covering up, the most damage.
“Maybe there’s something great that gives us meaning, if we wait”
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – Life is Hard
Related to the theme of how empathetic people may struggle emotionally with being exposed to so much suffering in the world, ‘Life is Hard’ is a celebration of the sensitive, the kind and brave souls amongst us who feel others’ pain deeply. I find the lyrics heartwrenchingly, beautifully accurate, portraying every aspect of life. Although The Happiness Collective’s focus is on being happy, that is not to deny the full range of emotion; it’s about celebrating, even when, and especially when, life is hard. It’s showing up, fully present, for the good times and the bad. Above all, it’s about being honest with ourselves, and this honesty is what’s so vitally expressed in this song.
“Do not fear, it’s safe to say it here. You will not be called a weakling nor a fraud for feeling the pain of the whole wide world”
Jimmy Cliff – You Can Get It If You Really Want
I was lucky enough to see the reggae legend that is Jimmy Cliff a few years ago at a festival and he remains my go-to artist for music to motivate me and get me back on the right path to building on my dreams bit by bit. The perfect anthem for 2015 with so many positive changes to make, a renewed dedication to treading my own path and the opportunity to build something life-affirming and transformative with The Happiness Collective.
“You must try, try and try, try and try – you’ll succeed at last”
Written by Emmy Fisher
What music has motivated you, comforted you or inspired you in 2014? What artists or songs would you recommend to add to the list? Let us know in the comments below! 🙂
The Happiness Collective 