"Taking Stock of 2002"
by Rev. Christine 1/12/03January is the time of year for reflecting and looking ahead. January was named after the Roman’s two-headed god Janus who looked at both the past and the future. The Romans put this double-faced god symbol at their doorways and entrances. One of their names for doors was "Janua." A door can be symbolic of leaving one place and going into another.
The God Janus reminds us that the present includes the past and the future. The present is the culmination of the past and the foretoken of the future. We can also use this time to release the old and create the new.
This week our focus is on our growth throughout last year. Did we accomplish that which we set out to do for the year? How was our personal growth, spiritual growth, and the experiences in our life? Next week our focus will be on the new year.
As we bring together the knowledge and wisdom we have gained from our past, and our vision of future possibilities, we fashion in the present moment the fullest, richest, most creative life we are capable of living now and at every moment in time. The instant in time between the past and the future is the eternal Now!
Looking upon 2002, the universal energy of last year was a four, a 22 four. This was a year of restructuring to lay the foundation for a strong future. We saw many companies laying off, closing down, large corporations merging. The numbers of unemployed skyrocketed while the stock market continued to nosedive.
The Catholic church making major headlines and being forced to change its secretive ways concerning their priests wrong doing, and owning up to past misuse of power. Much attention in foreign affairs or the global market that the 22 energy would bring in, and home land security seemed to take a for front for the nation. Then leaving the year with war looming over us. This energy has some carryover through February, while the next year’s energy begins in the latter months of the calendar year. Change is definitely in the air.
For our own church organization last year brought many delays and cancellations of classes. During this same time we continued to focus on the ideas that came out of 2001, building community. There seemed to be a necessary breakdown for the new foundation to be built. I was out of commission for some time, and when here had much catching up to do. Squeezing in 6 days of work in to 4 with my head to the grind stone; so to speak. This also gave way for others to pick up what I couldn’t handle anymore. I am happy to say that I will soon be back here more.
Our much delayed board retreat, showed that we had a work to be done first in our relationships with each other for building a strong community. Progress was made in building committees to bring in new ideas, and help to make them happen. On the 17th of this month we are having another Community Building meeting in which everyone is invited.
Then our new foundation came, a new roof for the sanctuary, was begun on December 31 and completed on January 4. Raising the funds for the new roof took much community effort in working together – And, I Thank You! Through all these changes in the outer world of affairs, I can truly say that we are always blessed. We may not have a huge bank account, but our needs are met. Thank you God. And, when we have a greater vision then our monies to do the work will increase too. It has been a period of time to strengthen ourselves; our character and our work.
And, for ourselves personally: where are we in our evolution – are we ready for the great transformation from human being to spiritual being?
How are we handling our fears. Some push on – bulldozing ahead while others panic and freeze in their tracks and others run and hide out. How have we this past year personally handled our fears?
Our world within and around us is taking new shape to support and carry forth in this new year of 2003. What was the message from our experiences of 2002?
This morning while preparing for my talk I thought upon this question. In March of this year I fell and fractured my left shoulder. This was a lesson in complete surrender. Also, I got the message that when you take the last two letters off the word "shoulder" you have the word "should." So I just don’t should my self so much anymore. Instead I give myself permission to not get it all done in the time frame I had set for myself. I also understand that there was a greater purpose going on for me being at my daughter’s.
Today we are going to explore the inner messages of our experiences that we had throughout the year, and how we have developed and grown as a spiritual being. I will lead us in a meditation to help us in receiving our insights. I will then hand out a worksheet to write it down, and give us some quiet time to do so. We will then share our insights.
So lets get comfortable, you may want to first stretch a little. Let us begin with some good deep breathing. Then let us first go back to December of 2002, how did you feel about the year that is just ending. Now let us jump back to January 2002, what was going on in your life, what challenges, decisions, how did you handle things, what spiritual insights do you have?
Now move to February, March, spring time new opportunities, April, May, June – Summertime, July, August, September – Fall, October, November, December – Winter.
Now look over the worksheet.
Taking Stock of 2002 Worksheet
1. Briefly list accomplishments of last year, problems solved, and healings.
2. Briefly list unfinished goals, unresolved relationships and healings.
3. What was the major theme of issues for this year?
4. How has your handling of fear evolved?
5. How has your heart evolved?
6. How has your consciousness of God evolved?
7. What have you learned most from year 2002?
8. What are you most grateful for in year 2002?
9. As a chapter in a book, give year 2002 a title.