What or Who are you leaving behind in 2008?

A ritual in many cultures at the end of a year is to leave behind that which no longer serves a purpose or no longer serves you. More than simply making resolutions, the ritual concerns that which you do not want to bring into the new year. For example: a friendship that no longer makes you happy - with the start of the new year, you no longer call that person or attempt to see that person - if at some point after the new year begins, that person re-enters your life, then you know this is an opportunity to begin the relationship anew.
Habits that you wish to leave behind, such as unhealthy eating, are relinquished to the past and not considered a part of your life any longer.
So what or who are you leaving behind in 2008?
Personally - I am leaving behind a group of individuals I have known through two Spiritual Communities - their beliefs, values and lifestyles are so opposed to my own that I have chosen to cease contact with them - if at some point in the future they choose to contact me, I will know this is an opportunity to begin again.

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Permalink Reply by PamWiccan on December 31, 2008 at 10:55pm: I am leaving any negativity that has seeped into my way. I also leave behind any bad thoughts of people that made me pissed off, I am so happy the new year is here, Maybe with help from the Gods and Goddesses we will have the peace and tranquility we so search for. Blessings!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Crystal Raven on December 31, 2008 at 10:43pm: I too, am leaving things behind in 2008. Some are people, some are things, some are expectations. There is a long list of things that I am relinquishing to the past (except chocolate). So, I will begin 2009 much lighter! Much happier. There are times when we must leave things and people behind...we will, begin again.

Thanks for this post,
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Permalink Reply by Moon Mistress )O( Char on December 31, 2008 at 10:50pm: I do think that leaving things or people behind that cause negative energy is a great way to start off the year. There is enough stress in today's life, why carry negative energy into the new year. And sometimes that means letting go of people that you may care about. It is not an easy thing to do but sometimes it is the right thing to do.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mary Reinhardt on December 31, 2008 at 11:06pm: Leaving things 'behind' can be more powerful than projecting promises into the future. Quite often we say we will do this or that and never get to it. Leaving something or someone behind can be easier and it doesn't set us up for disappointment or failed expectations. Leave behind what no longer serves you and you begin the year with so much more space for some wonderful to enter.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Julie on January 1, 2009 at 9:24am: does my job count? It was the main source of negativity in my life. And, now it's gone! woo hoo!!!!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Raven Shadow Hawk on January 1, 2009 at 9:47am: I have definitely weeded out the unwanted/un-needed negative people in my life. I had been hemming and hawing over a few issues with a student of mine and I finally did what I felt necessary to remedy the situation... that meant letting the relationship go. I also had a few friends that were just very unstable/unwilling to compromise and really treat me with decency that I showed to them. So, I said farewell.
This may sound a bit harsh, but I don't have time for nonsense in my life and I am not willing to put up with drama that never ends.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jharma Lejianne on January 1, 2009 at 9:52am: I remember when I first read of this tradition (leaving behind that which no longer serves you at the end of the year, instead of new years resolutions). I remember thinking that it was such a good idea, that it was a shame that even those cultures only did it once a year. I decided to change that.

So about once a month, on the new moon, I do just that. I evaluate what's going on in my life and leave behind that which no longer serves me to make room for something new. Sometimes I'll do this more often, depending on what's going on in my life.

So when the end of the year comes, I simply view it as me walking away from who I was, and walking towards who I am becoming. But then again, I do that with every step I take. New Year's Eve isn't the same thing for me as it is for everyone else I guess...

Jharma; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jharma Lejianne on January 1, 2009 at 10:03am: Precisely. I've walked away from people, from places, from communities simply because it wasn't healthy for me. Granted, I've learned over the years that there's a difference between something bringing me growth and something being unhealthy for me. I'm all for growth, and have learned to trust my guides over the years. When they tell me to stay, I will stay and seek the lesson (or wait for it). When they tell me it's not healthy for me, I will walk away....

I've done it before, no doubt I will do it again before it's all over with.

Jharma; ▶ Reply to This