We are at another threshold of change, in a year filled many levels of transformation, loss, initiation, and completion.  I believe that everyone reading has seen doorways open and doorways close.

I wish to support your (inner) reflection of moving out of this year — and all it might mean to you, for better or worse — and into the next solar year (Winter Solstice) and calendar year.

There are two aspects of truly “moving past the past.”  People often get confused or distracted, and think that they are accomplishing something.  When they actually are not …

The ultimate test of “getting out of the past” is consistently acting differently NOW and into the future.  While it can be attractive to generate new ideas about the past, a new mental model does not ensure transforming your engagement with the world.  Of course, change starts with awareness, and re-aligning energies, but ultimately, a true and lasting transformation needs to progress to the next step.

Fundamentally, contemplating, researching, or analyzing what has happened is only valuable to the extent that it facilitates a change in your awareness (part 1).

Then that change in awareness is really only valuable to the extent that it facilitates an authentic change in action (part 2).  An idea, affirmation, or intention is NOT an action.  It is possible to have plenty of life choices and activities that are not consistent with your stated intentions.

People are deceived, or deceive themselves, into believing that they are taking constructive steps when they are only talking or thinking about taking constructive steps and changes.

A direct and meaningful way to determine if you are doing something constructive is to ask whether your inner patterns are genuinely being eliminated or changed by your efforts.  I’ve written an article to help refresh your perspective on the value of your (spiritual) practice — or any activity for that matter.

It is much easier to change (outer) circumstances so your life looks temporarily different.  But a much different outcome occurs when underlying unhealthy (inner) patterns of creation are released.  I call this process “getting out of your reality containers.”  I invite you abandon your cramped reality containers and move into a more expansive “inner home” for the coming year!