In order to embrace the new, we must release the old. A trapeze artist cannot swing from one bar to another without letting go. An important part of preparing for the New Year is to review the past year—to release it—and to learn from it.

To go where we wish to go and be whom we wish to be, we need to know where we are and who we are. An honest self-analysis is always helpful to gain clarity. As we end the year, the decade, the century and the millennium, it seems particularly fitting to devote some time to reflecting on the year past and where we find ourselves as the new century dawns.

The following questions should stimulate your thinking for this process. I hope that you take time out of your busy schedule this holiday season to ponder where you are and where you've been. Enter into discussions with people you care about. Write out your thoughts and feelings. Do some journalling. Consider writing a letter to yourself. It could be profound to write it and valuable to read it in the years ahead.

Reflect

Reflect upon what you did, how you felt, what you liked, what you didn’t and what you learned. Try to look at yourself and your experience with as much objectivity as you can—much like a biographer would.

Here are some suggestions to get you started in mulling over the past year—perhaps the last decade. Feel free to add your own.

1. What did I learn? (skills, knowledge, awareness', etc.)
2. What did I accomplish? A list of my wins and achievements.
3. What would I have done differently? Why?
4. What did I complete or release? What still feels incomplete to me?
5. What were the most significant events of the year past? List the top three.
6. What did I do right? What do I feel especially good about? What was my greatest contribution?
7. What were the fun things I did? What were the not-so-fun?
8. What were my biggest challenges/roadblocks/difficulties?
9. How am I different this year than last?
10. For what am I particularly grateful?

Release

Consider listing all the things in your life you would like to let go—anything you no longer want. Give thanks for what they've brought you in terms of learning and usefulness and then burn the list. It's a symbolic gesture to help you release the old and be open to the new. The next step is to list what you DO want—experiences, knowledge, material things, relationships, healings, whatever.

In doing this, you'll be using the principle of vacuum—releasing what you don't want and embracing what you do. On New Year's Eve, my wife and I, along with several friends and close family members will light a bonfire and burn our lists as well as a few other articles that represent something we no longer desire in our lives. For example, I plan to burn an old (and too big) article of clothing to symbolize a less-than impeccable wardrobe and garments that belong to a heavier person than I am and will be.

I'm confident that anything you can do to make this event become more dramatic in terms of your own personal and spiritual growth will be valuable.