Feel the energy of the New Year – white lights, colored balloons, confetti, Lady Gaga  pushing the button, unleashing the Waterford crystal ball downward to the cement of neon Times Square . . . five, four, three, two, one. . . and the calendar turns.  Clapping,  yelling, cheering, kissing – all signs of marking that one moment, that one second signaling hope for a better next year.  Better health, better prosperity, better relationships.

Hope instills inspiration, to change behavior, eat better, drink less, exercise more.  “Resolutions”, a word most associated with a new year.  An appealing thought for the moment, but so often it is fleeting, replaced by repeating patterns and habits carried over from last year.

How about a new thought, for ourselves this day, just for this day, not for a whole year?  The thought – “I am Energy”.  My breath propels my energy.  I am breathing,  Yes, we breathe, whether conscious of it or not. (Thank goodness.)  Bringing attention to my breath zeros in on what is important, right now.  This moment.  Take a breath in, counting to four.  Breathe out, counting to four.  Do it again.  Inhale – one. . . two. . . three. . . four.  Exhale – one. . . two. . . three. . . four. . . Try it one more time.

I am Energy.  My breath propels my energy.  I am breathing to a count of four.  I may just count to four with my breath tomorrow morning, right when I wake up.