2008 - is that the sound of a drum roll?

A drum roll, trumpets, a flourish - this is what I've come to expect of the New Year.

Not this year.

Nope, nada, nothing, not a thing. There was a distinct lack of heralding and harking.

Usually I start the year with grand plans, glorious declarations, and energy busting at the seams. Like a a mountaineer in new leiderhosen, I am usually polishing the boots and hoisting the pack for another grand year of summits to to ascend, obstacles to overcome, and challenges to embrace. Like running another marathon, or writing another product, or meeting new business targets.

Not this year.

Instead the New Year brought with it a glorious sense of peace, calm, and tranquility. There are no grand plans. There are no declarations of things to change, or new beginnings to embrace. Quite simply, I am already flowing. I am already in the flow - the flow of wellness, of abundance, of happiness. 2007 was a wonderful year, an I expect 2008 to be just as, if not more wonderful.

But I don't need to prove anything anymore. I don't need rack up any more accomplishments, like a row of dusty trophies on the mantle.

Don't get me wrong - I do have plans for what I want to experience and create this year. But the energy is completely different: my choices are based on what feels good, what feels fun, and what makes my body zing with excitement.

In noticing the difference in me this year I have come to realise what intellectually I have known to be true, but have not embraced in my 'knowing' until now - life is for living in a way that feels good, not in a way that we think it should be lived, according to beliefs, ego, or expectations.

It's a subtle distinction. Now I can tell if it's my ego talking, or whether it's my spirit calling with this simple assessment: if it feels like hard work, then it's the ego having a go; if it feels exciting and fun, then my spirit is leading the way.

This simple distinction has taken a lot of clearing to get to. Old beliefs, emotional energy patterns, issues around deserving and prosperity were all cleared away to get here. I have done a lot of self-development, coaching, reading, and exploring of various techniques and concepts, and applied what I learned.

And still there is more!

But it all feels good and grand.

Here's to 2008 and the glorious adventures ahead.