Fill the Vessel of Your Heart This New Year

My resolution for the new year is one that I have strived to achieve each new year for the last many decades.

In many traditions, from the Kabbalah to mystical Christianity, there is a belief that how we behave and go about the first 12 days of the new year is a metaphor for the next 12 months. In other words, the first day of the year determines the first month, the second day determines the second month and so on.

To ensure a bright start, we should set intentions and record only positive, luminous thoughts, feelings and actions. I am best able to do that alone and in silence, not in the midst of a lot of inconsequential chatter. I wish for everyone the opportunity to withdraw for a part of each day into the private chamber within.

The year that we call new is not completely separate from the old. In fact, it is already old, because we human beings are old in our ways of thinking, feelings and habits.

If we intend to discard some of the weight of the past and fill the vessel of the heart and mind with high ideals, the mind will obey, and also will satisfy the soul that yearns for new values and desires.

May we all be blessed in 2016

Artist and philanthropist Valerie von Sobel is the Founder and President of the Andre Sobel River of Life Foundation. Learn more about the mission of the foundation at: www.andreriveroflife.org, and about Valerie's art at www.valeriesobelart.com