I am a big advocate of journaling and writing things down. It helps me gain clarity, be more productive and it's proven that you are 42% more likely to accomplish your goals just by putting your pen to paper.

Every year I spend time reflecting on the year that's passed and creating intentions for the new. Like many, I have made vision boards, master goal lists, and made resolutions. This year I took a little bit of each of those along with some other practices I love and created a thorough process to setting clear intentions and getting present with the lessons and blessings in my life.

On New Year's Eve, my love and I spent well over two hours contemplating big questions and harnessing this sacred practice. It was so impactful for the both of us that I couldn't wait to share it with all of you!

There is something about January that has a new, magical, productive energy to it that seems to make things manifest more quickly. I feel like it's a vortex created by the collective all desiring a better life at the same time. The energy is a movement forward, symbolizing new beginnings and a fresh start. There is no better time to do this practice than right now.

Saying that, this practice can be done at any time of the year and I encourage you to do it anytime you are feeling stuck or in need of a little shift in perspective and energy.

I believe that where attention goes, energy flows and taking this time for yourself can literally change the trajectory of your entire year and life's journey. You can't change your life, until you change your energy and that is exactly what we are about to do.

Before we get into the good stuff, I suggest blocking out some time where you can be uninterrupted and free from television and smart phones. Music is ok but I suggest choosing instrumental music that has no lyrics. This practice can be done alone or with a partner. Keep in mind when choosing a partner, make sure it is someone that you feel 100% comfortable with and that you trust. Based on my personal experience, I suggest doing it with a partner if you can as I feel it can be more powerful.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

One sheet of blank paper, a journal or notebook (preferably new) , a pen and either a crystal or a special object or amulet that you can fit in the palm of your hand.

SET THE MOOD

Choose a space that is comfortable and cozy as you will be sitting there for awhile. Light some candles, steep some tea and clear the space with some sage, palo santo, incense or any other herb you desire to signify the beginning of your ritual ceremony. Once you have cleared the space and set the mood, it's time to start the first part of the Intention Ritual.

It's important to keep in mind that this is a process, so as I give you the questions, trust the process. Try not to overthink it and instead go with your first instinct.

PART 1/LET GO OF THE PAST

To begin, use your blank sheet of paper, not your journal or notebook for the first part and begin to answer the questions below. If you need more space then get another sheet of blank paper.

1. What was your biggest lesson of 2019?

2. What was your biggest regret or let down in 2019?

3. List three things that you are letting go of in 2019? An example would be; holding onto resentment or anger towards someone, or surrendering to a health issue, etc. Go with your first instinct.

After you have finished these three questions, if you are doing this with a partner, you can share your answers with each other and openly discuss it. This will help you gain more clarity for the next part and allow you to truly release and let go of what you need to let go of.

To facilitate in the act of letting this stuff go we are going to destroy the paper or papers you just wrote on. If you have access to a fireplace you can burn the paper or you can tear it into pieces or cut it with scissors. The physical act of destroying it is what matters so either way is fine. As you or the fire is destroying the paper, take a deep breath, open your mouth on the exhale and allow yourself to truly release what you wrote. Leaving it in the past and only you in the present moment- where all possibilities live.

PART 2/ CREATE YOUR FUTURE

From now on you will write in your journal. The same guidelines apply, go with your first instinct, trust the process and know that no dream is too big. Don't minimize your goals. A goal should scare you a little and excite you a lot. Know that you are worthy of a great life. You do not have to work hard or go anywhere to get it, you just have to feel worthy of receiving it.

1. List three new skills, crafts or tasks you want to do this year.

2. List three places you want to visit.

3. List three things you want to do in the new year. An example is; go to a museum you have always wanted to go to or go horseback riding, try a new class, etc.

4. Write three words you want to embody in 2020. Some examples are; abundance, expansion, and vitality, etc.

If you are working with a partner now is a good time to share your answers with each other to gain more clarity on your desires. If you are working alone, read back on what you wrote and really allow yourself to digest it by visualizing each thing.

PART 3/ GOALS FOR 2020

1. What are your three biggest goals for this year?

2. What is one daily ritual you can promise to do each day to help you get to each of the three goals you just listed? An example would be; meditation, getting to bed earlier, working out every day, etc.

3. What is a weekly ritual you can start incorporating into your life that will help you attain each of the goals you listed? An example would be; going to a weekly yoga class, reading a book or dedicating time to studying something or learning something new, etc.

4. What is a monthly ritual you can add to your schedule that will help you achieve all the goals you listed? An example would be; getting a massage or body work done, reaching out to a mentor, or exploring a new environment and getting out more, etc.

If you are working with a partner, again this is a great time to share with each other what you wrote and explore deeper. If they know you well they might even have some better ideas that you didn't even think of. If you are working solo, again take some time to read back what you wrote and visualize each thing and add any more details that intuitively come up.

PART 4/MAGNIFY IT

Now on a new, clean page in your journal, choose a letter from the alphabet that you resonate with or generally like. There is no rhyme or reason here, so just go with what you are drawn to. Once you choose your letter, write it fairly large in the middle of your paper (see example below) then draw a circle around it. 

Go back to Part 2 and see what you wrote, choose one to three words to describe each answer so that it all fits on the paper. Draw a line coming out from the circle and then begin writing each answer you wrote until you have the entire circle filled all the way around with lines and words...like the sun rays.

Once you have written everything from Part 2 and Part 3 now is the time to add anything else that you feel is missing. Remember, no dream is too big...cover of Forbes Magazine, travel to Africa, meet the love of your life...whatever your heart desires. This is YOUR vision board, don't sell yourself short. You are worthy and deserving of all of it!!!

Once you have completed your letter circle, take some time focusing on what you wrote by scanning clockwise several times. Then focus on your letter and begin to mentally picture and feel the emotion of everything you wrote, the more details the better. Spend at least three minutes here to fully charge your letter.

Once your letter is charged with the vibrations you put into it, it is forever there for you to come back to. This practice allows you to only have to think of your letter to empower your life instead of trying to remember specifically each thing you wrote.

You can take this a step further and charge a piece of jewelry you have with this energy or a song. You can do all three simultaneously if you wish. Simply, hold the jewelry in your hands while you play a song of your choice and scan your letter circle again for the full duration of the song. When you wear your jewelry or play the song, it will carry the energy of all your goals and intentions, magnetizing your ideal life closer to you.

PART 5/SURRENDER

This is where you will need your crystal or other special object. Close your journal or notebook and place your crystal on top of it to further charge and seal your wishes. This signifies the end of your ritual. Finish by saying, as I will it, so mote it be.

Once you have finished, it's important to allow your life to unfold as it wishes. Release any attachments to anything, including yourself. Get out of your own way and try not to control or micromanage your life but instead to trust that the universe knows best. Stop thinking of the past anymore or anticipating the future, just be where your feet are and keep coming back to the present moment. Find gratitude in everything you do have and you will acquire more to be grateful for and always live your life with the intention to live for the highest good of all...and so it is.