have a beginner’s mind.

January 1, 2011 in Uncategorized

"And now we welcome the new year, full of things that have never been." -Rainer Maria Rilke

I am walking into 2011 without resolutions, without expectations, without a need to know.

On New Year's Day, I'm always reminded of something John Lithgow said about humans as Professor Dick Solomon in "Third Rock from the Sun": I think they’re wonderful. They have so much courage! Here they are, hurling through space on a molten rock at 67,000 miles an hour, and the only thing that keeps them in their shoes is their misplaced faith in gravity."

Every year on this day as I hurl myself through space on a molten rock believing in gravity, I simply answer two questions: 1) What do I want to create in this new year? and 2) What do I want or need to let go of?

I want to create opportunities for stillness. I want to create opportunities for kindness. I want to create opportunities for being fully present in the now and living with a beginner's mind. I want to create opportunities for writing, and spaciousness, and wellness, and generosity of spirit. And I want to let go of comparisons, of toxic people, of fixing, and of striving.

What about you? What do you want to create in 2011? And what do you want or need to let go of?

You are not broken, and you don't need to be fixed.

[Thanks to Rock Fairy Kim Mailhot for these inspirational "Rock Your World" stones. They are available here]

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About Patti Digh

Patti Digh is an author, speaker, and educator who builds learning communities and gets to the heart of difficult topics. Her work over the last three decades has focused on diversity, inclusion, social justice, and living and working mindfully. She has developed diversity strategies and educational programming for major nonprofit and corporate organizations and has been a featured speaker at many national and international conferences.

4 comments to " have a beginner’s mind. "


Kim Mailhot

January 1, 2011 AT 1:12PM

Don’t know why but this post makes me cry. I love you, Patti, and your words. I think you have just emitted the cry of the soul of so many of us on this planet right now. It makes me so grateful, and fills me full up to be a part of this change that needs to come, to be wonderful and courageous in the face of what can sometimes seem impossible or hopeless. I guess it is hope and faith that I feel full of. And I am so grateful to be conected to another heart like yours in the process. Happy New Year, my Wonderful, Courageous, Writer-Lady Friend.

jylene

January 2, 2011 AT 12:03PM

YES! Me too!! all of that you said!!!
thank you for putting it into such eloquent words. i could never express it quite so well as you. happy new year!

gwyn

January 3, 2011 AT 2:53PM

I am crying too because as Kathryn put it you have touched the right words and passed them on. My story flows from yours as it it so often does. I have started this year with so much uncertainty and you have helped me understand what I am feeling and of course Kim too with those rocks. So much gratitude and LOVE to you both.

magpie

January 5, 2011 AT 6:54PM

this post has let me exhale,
let me breathe.

i came here via a
recommendation about
your books on
amazon – a couple of clicks
and i’m touched
and moved.
who says the internet is impersonal?

enlightenment is a few clicks.
thanks. i’ll create a link of my blog
so i, and others
can find you.