Welcome and Happy New Year!
This meditation is an invitation to step into the years ahead with joy,
Reflection and harmony.
While also feeling connected to people around the world,
Celebrating with you.
Find a comfortable position.
Close your eyes if that feels good.
Take a deep breath in through the nose.
And a slow exhale through the mouth.
Again,
Inhale deeply and exhale completely.
With each breath,
Allow yourself to arrive in this moment,
Open and curious,
Ready to begin the year with intention.
Imagine yourself stepping outside under a clear night sky.
All around you can hear laughter,
Music and excitement.
Suddenly the first fireworks rises into the air.
Boom!
A burst of brilliant color.
Then another and another.
The whole sky sparkles,
Shimmering with light.
Feel the joy of this moment.
Each firework is like a spark of possibility.
A reminder that the year ahead holds countless moments of beauty,
Waiting to unfold.
Take a few breaths here.
Inhale the excitement.
Exhale into peace.
Now allow your imagination to travel across the world.
In Spain,
People gather to eat 12 grapes at midnight.
One for each month ahead,
Each grape a wish for good fortune.
In Japan,
Temple bells ring 108 times,
Symbolically cleansing the old year and welcoming the new.
In Scotland,
Neighbors visit one another at midnight.
A tradition called first fooding,
Bringing gifts of food or drink for luck.
In Brazil,
People wear white and toss flowers into the ocean as offerings of gratitude and hope.
In the Philippines,
Families fill their tables with round fruits,
A symbol of prosperity.
Take a breath and feel the unity of this global celebration.
Millions of people,
Different languages,
Traditions and customs,
All turning together toward the same new beginning.
Allow that sense of connection to fill your heart with harmony.
You are part of this vast,
Joyful circle of humanity.
Now gently turn inward.
Think back to the year that has passed.
Ask yourself,
What am I most grateful for from this past year?
What lessons or experiences will I carry with me?
What am I ready to gently release and leave behind?
Take a few breaths here,
Allowing answers to rise softly without judgment,
Simply noticing.
Now look ahead.
What do I wish to invite into this new year?
What qualities do I want to cultivate?
Harmony,
Joy,
Courage,
Love?
How do I want to show up for myself and for others?
As you breathe,
Imagine planting these intentions like seeds in the soil of this new year,
Knowing they will grow with care and attention.
Picture yourself surrounded by friends,
Family or loved ones.
Or simply imagine being surrounded by the warmth of community.
Everyone is smiling,
Laughing,
Celebrating together.
Feel that joy as if it were your own.
Let it fill your chest.
Expand thoughts.
Expand through your whole body,
Radiating outward.
Now imagine this happiness rippling beyond you,
Across your town,
Your country,
And out into the whole world.
A wave of harmony and peace,
Connecting people everywhere.
Take a breath in,
Feeling joy.
Take a breath out,
Sending harmony into the world.
As the fireworks fade in the distance,
Take one more deep breath in,
Hold it gently,
And exhale,
Letting it go.
Feel the ground beneath you,
Steady and supportive.
Gently wiggle your fingers and toes,
Returning to the present moment.
When you are ready,
Open your eyes.
Step into this new year with gratitude for what has been,
Joy for what is,
And hope for what is yet to come.
Happy New Year!
