New Year's Design Process:
Attention all you"Masterpieces-in-Progress"

If you are not having a lot of success with New Year's Resolutions, it may not be a skill-level deficiency. In fact, even the best of Intentions can fail to become real Experiences. We began, a few years ago, to use a different process which, although we are still learning, we would like to share with you.

We begin by asking ourselves the question, "What do I want?" We call the process the "White Box," since that is the place we put our written responses to that question. Peter has been helpful in providing this "instruction" for the process and we hope you will enjoy his comments and join us this year.

PETER: How does Intention become Experience? We begin with the notion that Experience is but a Time/Space expanding Metaphor of FEELING! Feeling and Feeling States are central to the Design process. "What do you want?" then is more than a wish list. It is HOW YOU WILL FEEL while living out the list. Another form of the question is, "In what Feeling State do you want to live out the New Year?"

Once you have captured the however- abstract Feeling, it is time to identify the Desire. In the most ancient teachings, it is Desire that provides the portal for creating and perceiving. So what is it you Desire? You must ask this question without reservation -- for NO THING STANDS IN YOUR WAY! Move out of limiting beliefs. Set aside Cause and Effect constructs. And flow with the pure Joy of Desire fulfilled!

You are now ready to write down your Design for the New Year (or "what you want") in the form of Feelings, Feeling States, and Desires. When we say "write down," we are not to be taken literally. This is where you employ your creativity. Your form of expression is your choice. Whether lists, poems, drawings, songs, etc., whatever the choice, put it in a tangible form that can be held in your hand throughout the process.

Next step is to give voice to your Design for the New Year -- "what do you want." Speak (or sing) out loud the contents of your Design. Breathe deeply, sit down and lower your eyes…

Allow yourself and your Design for the New Year to Journey to Sanctuary.

Notice the familiarity, the comfortable presence of your Sanctuary. Breathe deeply its richness.

Move to the place in Sanctuary where the 3 Energies of all creation flow: FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE.

Imagine you are now at the Source of the FAITH Energy. With your Design in your hand, immerse yourself and your Design in the glistening sweetness of this strong energy. Allow it to comfort you and flow all through you and your Design.

Next, move to the Source of the HOPE Energy. Immerse yourself and your Design in this Energy. Allow the sparkling bubbles of this wonderful energy to tickle you through and through, to fill you and your Design, to complete any forgotten Feelings or Desires.

Now move to the Source of the LOVE Energy. Immerse yourself and your Design in this Energy. Fill yourself with the gentle softness. Allow it to embrace you and let you know that you are above all else, CHERISHED and UNCONDITIONALLY LOVED.

Breathe deeply and fully the Gifts of the Energies. With gratitude and appreciation, acknowledge the "life force" given to your Design for the New Year. And leaving Sanctuary, return to the NOW…

One last thing for you to do is to NOTICE. Notice your Design for the New Year in action! With every breath you consciously take from the Feeling States of your New Year's Design, that time/space expanding metaphor flows into your field of Experience! Since all of you are "Masterpieces-in-Progress," perhaps it will be a playground you will find fascinating!