2019 is quietly leaving
us. Some of us experience melancholy and longing for the year we will
soon be letting go of, while many feel excitement and hope for the upcoming
year. Of course, most of us harbor somewhat mixed emotions about
this. It is an interesting time of the
year where we reminisce about the past and envision the future with gratitude.
Yet, during this time, I observed that I seldom notice the present
moment.
I find my own cave to sit
in. To ground myself, I close my eyes. I guide my breaths by
saying, “breathe 2020 in, and breathe 2019 out....” Three breaths calm
me down. Then I continue to sit, using
my anchor words. (“Breathe in, breathe out.”) I am grateful to have a
moment where I can witness the leaving year and welcome the new year. Why didn’t I notice my appreciation in the
past? Was it because time was quietly slipping away? Or was I too busy to
notice?
In ancient Japan, people
commemorated this time by striking a large temple bell in each village.
Although I have heard this story over and over, it didn’t spark my light bulb
until today. As a community, sharing a moment of appreciation for the past and
hope for the future has united people’s souls. By acknowledging each
temple bell, people collectively share the present moment. I think it is beautiful.
So this passing year from
2019 to 2020, instead of opening a bottle of champagne and watching fireworks,
I close my eyes and absorb deep gratitude in my spot.
I am very thankful for my
knowledge, practice, and learning of mindfulness in 2019. And I can
continue to plant more seeds in 2020!
