Setting intentions for 2012

Me as Santa Claus at my family Christmas party.

Wow, what a year 2011 has been. I started 2011 engaged, living in Providence, and feeling a bit numb. I ended 2011 back on the dating scene, living in Manhattan, and feeling more alive than ever before. I found my heart, my spiritual connection to the world, and my dream Manhattan apartment. I spent the year in a body I was proud of, surrounded by a community of kindred spirits who I love, and walking a dog who finally learned how to tolerate other dogs and small children. I even got to play Santa Claus at my extended family Christmas this year.

A few minutes ago, my friend Apu told me that, numerologically, 2012 is supposed to be “my” year. All I can say to that is, if 2011 was not “my” year, then I can’t wait to see what a “my” year truly looks like. Holy cow. I can’t even fathom it.

And so I am busy setting my intentions for 2012. They are not quite finished yet, but I want to share with you one of my favorite ways to set intentions for a new year. Most people churn off a list of things they want to accomplish in the upcoming year as if they were making a grocery list: take vitamins, travel more, be more confident at work, tell my husband I love him more often, lose 10 lbs. You know the story. Instead, I prefer to set intentions for who I am going to be in the upcoming year. What does the “me” look like that I would be proud to be in this coming year? I going to be her. In Handel lingo, we call this an “I AM” statement. Here is my I AM statement for 2011:

I hear my heart deeply and fully

I release control and celebrate all that is

I experience all of it

I am inspired by how I live and what I teach

I speak the clear truth

I am a wizard of time with impeccable integrity

I am joyful

I create heroes

I am a vibrant executive

I am a voice of wisdom

I am a charismatic, strong and confident leader

I am grateful for my failures, because that is how I learn

I am creative

I savor my bosom buddies

I have a continual experience of something bigger

How did it feel to read it? Let me tell you, even though I have shared this with many people over the year, it still scares me a little to put it out there. So welcome to Samantha. What is so astounding to me about this I AM is that, when I first wrote it, I was batting about 30% on it. And now, at the end of the year, I would say I am in the 90s. Not perfect, but I can honestly say that my life resembles my I am resembles my life. Oftentimes, just setting the intention of who you want to be is half of the battle.

Who are you going to be in 2012? Think of the possibilities.

Happy New Year, everyone.

Samantha

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