Honoring the Ending
by Chaya Spencer
While we look forward to the New Year, it’s also important
to look back and honor what has come before.
As I said goodbye to my daughter and sent her back to
University in Scotland for her last semester and the end of her studies and time
as a dependent under our roof, I feel deep sadness. At the same time, deep joy at the
adventure of life that awaits her as she steps forward on her own to discover,
create and find her heart’s passion. In
the ending is the beginning, and I am filled to the brim with both.
In Anusara yoga our first principle is to Open to
Grace. We attempt to begin every pose by
softening and honoring that we are held by something that supports us through
our lives. And yet, Open to Grace is
also always at the ending. The cycle
moves in a full rotation. We must honor
what has brought us to where we stand at the moment: the things we’ve learned,
struggled with, celebrated and grieved – the full spectrum of life. It is only by fully embracing the ending that
we can move into the next beginning.
As Melody Beattie writes in Journey to the Heart:
The journey of a year is drawing to
a close. Cherish the moments, all of
them, event the ups and downs. Cherish
the places you’ve visited, the people you’ve seen. Say good-bye to those whose journeys have
called them someplace else. Know you can
always call them back by thinking loving thoughts. Know all those you love will be there for you
w hen you need them most. Honor the
lessons you’ve learned, and the people who helped you learn them. Honor the journey you soul mapped out for you. Trust all the places you’ve been. Make a scrapbook in your heart to help you
remember…Take time to honor the ending – though it’s never really the end.
May we each fully honor 2017 and may 2018 bring each of us –
every human and creature on the planet - peace, joy, health and fullness.
May blessings abound. Happy New Year!
Love,
Chaya
