An Invitation on the Solstice

I love the winter solstice. It marks the shortest day of the year, the longest night, and from this day forward the light grows until we arrive at the summer solstice. In addition, we have the new moon on Saturday, and the New Year a week after that, providing us with incredibly powerful energy to begin to create what we want out of work and life as we move into 2012.

While I am a big believer in the power of goals to focus our energy, if not crafted correctly, they can leave us with a heavy feeling, like we have to work hard to make them come to life. There’s something about the fragility of winter, about the darkness and stillness in nature that inspire me to instead “invite” in my intentions for 2012.

This invitation concept came to me spontaneously over the past few weeks (probably inspired by all the parties this time of year). I started sharing with friends and colleagues what I was inviting into my life for 2012 – and I loved how it felt to be clear on what I wanted to invite in, and the naturalness and lightness of saying it.

Inspired to invite something into your life? Here are the next steps…

Step 1 – Get Clear On Your Intention. What do you want to invite in? As you reflect back on 2011, is there something you want more of or less of as we move into 2012? For instance, as my business evolves, I want to work with teams to support their evolution over time, and I want to do more work in collaboration with other coaches. If you want less of something, for instance less stress, to rephrase as an invitation you might invite in more peace, calm, or the ability to be focused and present.

Step 2 – Share the Invitation With Others. If you’re hosting a party, it doesn’t come to life unless you’ve told people about it, right? The same is true for our wishes, hopes and dreams. Speaking these intentions aloud gives our faint little dream power and energy. It becomes more real as we talk about it, and we get support and encouragement from those we share with.

For me, it’s sounded like this, “Let me know if you need another coach to work with you on that initiative. One of the things I’m inviting in for 2012 is working in collaboration with other coaches.” Or, “Let me know if you need any support as you grow and develop your team. One of the things I’m inviting in for 2012 is working with teams to support their evolution over time.” On a personal note, it might sound like this, “Let me know if you hear of any great yoga workshops – as we move into 2012 I’m inviting in opportunities to work on my strength and flexibility.”

So go ahead…take advantage of the solstice, new moon, and New Year energy to get clear about what you want for yourself, your family, your team or your business in 2012 and begin to invite it in by sharing with others.