” In the beginner’s mind there are unlimited possibilities. In the expert’s mind there are few.”

– Zen Master Shunryu Suzuki

Rainy days and Mondays always get me down…it’s a song, by the Carpenters, from the 1970’s. Remember? It’s a song that just popped into my head while I was writing. Not that I ever really get depressed about Mondays although too many rainy days in a row can certainly do it to me. New Years and Januarys, however, well they get me jazzed!

I get so excited every January with my new daily planner and so many resolutions and BIG, exciting ideas. It feels like a clean slate and the surrounding energy of the world at large seems to support this optimism too.

New Years and Januarys bring with them unlimited possibilities. They bring with them so much newness. Fresh starts. Clean slates. Lofty goals. Hope. But in order to make space for all that new, we are sometimes faced with the reality that we have a lot to let go of too. In my eyes, it’s all part of the metaphysical plan.

I must confess though, as I am writing today, I feel a little bit behind with all my plans and possibilities. I feel late to the New Year’s resolutions table again. I AM here though, nonetheless. And hey, if I was going by the Julian Calendar, it’s only December 29th, 2024. There’s that too. That’s my rational. That’s the power of magical thinking. That’s how I’ve learned to roll. It works for me.

Why do I feel behind? Well, my holiday travels were delayed and extended due to other people’s personal schedules and good old January wintery weather. Getting snow in Michigan was exciting though. It was, after all, our Christmas celebration up there. Let’ it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

Gratefully, we were able to make it home safely. We were lucky that there was a window of no winter weather all day Thursday, all along our route. Ten and a half hours of driving on perfectly clear highways, we enjoyed the beauty of snow that remained after the huge winter storm that passed through the Ohio valley just days before. We are getting more snow here in North Carolina today. Yay!

So here I sit, writing in the cozy comfort of my living room, surrounded by stacks of books on Art and Alchemy, dreaming of the new year and what is to come. Wondering what all I am going to write about. Thinking about the art I will make. Hoping that my musing and makings will inspire soul mates around the world. Watching the snow gently falling outside, creating a pristine blanket of white, I treasure the freshness of nature and the slowness that a snowstorm fosters. I allow myself to dream…BIG.

This blog is brand spanking new. As lily white as the snow falling outside. I’m still getting used to this new platform. I’m still figuring out what I need to add, like the About Me section and maybe some more pictures in my gallery. Once again, I am learning so many new things about technology, when what I really want to be learning about is Art…and Alchemy. And I am. And I will. And WE can do it together…if you want.

One thing that is absolutely on the top of my letting go TO DO list this January is to stop being a slave to old beliefs. It is a continual process along this avenue of Ascension. I invite you to look at your own life and ask how you can let go of preconceptions and adapt an attitude of openness.

As I was traveling my spiritual path in the past, I used to listen to a lot of Dr. Wayne Dyer. I remember he used to say, ” Have a mind open to everything and attached to nothing”. That always resonated with me. And once again…it’s time.

As I was traveling the spiritual path of Eastern Orthodoxy, I was introduced to a story about Elder Sophrony a monk, who counseled a townsman visiting the monastery back in 1931. The man wanted to know how to deal with the pain and suffering of the warring world. Elder Sophrony, in his gentleness and wisdom told the man, “Stand on the edge of the abyss and when you feel that it is beyond your strength, break off and have a cup of tea.”

I must admit that while writing this post I discovered that I was confusing this monk and tea story with another visitor having tea with another monk, although the challenge of beginning a fresh and vibrant new year in a warring world on fire is definitely real and relevant to this post today. The other monk and tea story goes something like this…

“Master, I have come today to ask you to teach me about Zen. Open my mind to enlightenment.” The tone of the important man’s voice was one used to getting his own way.

The Zen master smiled and said that they should discuss the matter over a cup of tea. When the tea was served the master poured his visitor a cup. He poured and he poured, and the tea rose to the rim and began to spill over the table and finally onto the robes of the wealthy man. Finally, the visitor shouted, “Enough. You are spilling the tea all over. Can’t you see the cup is full?”

The master stopped pouring and smiled at his guest. “You are like this teacup, so full that nothing more can be added. Come back to me when the cup is empty. Come back to me with an empty mind.”

The world is still filled with wonder and possibility. But we need to be open in our hearts and in our minds to see it. If we insist on being closed minded and cherry-picking information that confirms to only our current beliefs, we will never have the opportunity to learn something new.

Rest assured, I am not promoting naivete or gullibility, just the ability to step back, observe, listen and keep learning. As I venture further onto the path of the study of Alchemy, I embrace a beginner’s mindset. I commit to become the student. I invite YOU to join me on this journey. I invite you to become the student too.

Openness and eagerness foster new skills, better decision making and greater empathy. The goal is not to negate or demonize an idea or experience, but rather to apply it to new circumstances with an open mind.

January 2025, whether it is a few days away or has already arrived, is a New Year. January 2025 has plenty of days left. January 2025 gives us the opportunity to start something new. It gives us a clean slate, a place for fresh art and untainted alchemy. It gives us a chance to explore unlimited possibilities.

So, make some room. Let go. Be brave. Take a chance to begin… again. It is truly a beautiful day. Seize it!