Generations

When a grandmother turns 80 years old and most of the grandchildren are all grown up, the next generation makes it's way to the top. Preparing for the celebration they start to take on the role of their parents in presenting the surprises. Many guests whom you only encounter at such milestone events remind us of the passing of the years as they, more than we, see the growth of the family's next generation. Stuck in the middle are we, the parents, anxiously conscious of our diminishing power but very proud to see who we are through the presence of our children.
Not every grandparent will appreciate a grand party with a gathering of past and present friends attending but the mirroring effect is quite astounding. The bond between a grandmother and her grandchildren expressed in words and deeds is a fulfilling experience and a job well done.

Intentions

A New Year is often used for resolutions and I have always been reluctant about it as I fail to see that the beginning of a year is a perfect time to start with anything. An intention is timeless and saving it for the New Year sounds more like putting it off until then. Start it when it comes up and go for it, I say.
Still, with all the good wishes going around in the holiday season one can take advantage of the flow. I started 'new phase' in December because of my own entrance into the yet unknown but it might be co-incidental. Being aware of your good intentions and letting them interact with the thrust of the New Year mightn't be such a bad thing. 2012 if anything is going to be a year of major change so whatsoever you wish to change i.e. begin, now is the time to do it. Diving in fearlessly.
Listening to webcasts with some inspirational people helps me get into that place of being present and focused; as one of the speakers mentioned, ' being in the present moment is being in the absence of fear'.
Life then is so much more at ease. Not that you should sit back and relax like they say on an airliner although they have a point. Take a breath. Create space, so anything new will have room to enter and unfold. By clearing away the clutter and stuff that no longer serves you, this process will accelerate. Apply it to a diet, quitting a bad habit or relationship issues and your New Year's resolutions have a very good chance of manifesting. As for me I intend from his day forward to be at peace with all my relationships and embrace the changes that come my way. :-)