A New Day, Beginning, Year...

A certain day became a presence to me;
there it was, confronting me - a sky, air, light:
a being.  And before it started to descend
from the height of noon, it leaned over
and struck my shoulder as if with
the flat of a sword, granting me
honor and a task.  The day's blow
rang out, metallic - or it was I, a bell awakened,
and what I heard was my whole self
saying and singing what I knew:  I can.

This is an excerpt from the Book of Earth Prayers,
written by Denise Levertov...

And as I was contemplating my morning, my day,
it struck a chord deep within...that this could be
my mantra for the New Year.  Shall it be?

Ahhhh...let it strike me then, this mantra for a
new day, new beginning, new year.  Let me bring
honor to my days, my thoughts, my actions, my
kindnesses passed on, my compassion towards
others, for self.  Let it ring in my ears with each
moment, this striking, so that I hear it loud and
clear, much like the bell I used those last few
minutes before midnight last night, as I rang out
the old to bring in the new...as I walked the
corners of my abode, sending out old energy, the
opening of the door to release it to the winds...
and then ahhhh...welcoming in the new energy,
embracing it like an old friend, or a comfortable
old shirt.  I will wear this old shirt, hold this old
friend then and hear the striking with a smile,
a pleasure, a passion...so that it radiates outwardly.
A bell awakened.  This must be what serenity is.

I wish for you the breath of new beginnings, new days
filled with The Great Mystery's Love, and so much light
it's brilliance astounds you! 

WE CAN!

A'HO!