Clean Slate

Come on over!

Last Monday Dotti told you about Fall cleaning. My tradition is about a different kind of cleaning - cosmic cleaning!  Several years ago a friend read about a great New Years tradition. She took care of it for many years, but about 3 or 4 years ago, I took over and began hosting at my house.  It takes place on New Years Eve Day - that's the 31st - the day before the ball drops. (there are always one or two who turn up the following day when I'm soundly sleeping - wrong!)  I set out an informal brunch, complete with mimosas, bloody marys, and basic food. People stop by,open house style, and most contribute some food to the mix. Somewhere along the way, my guests have become all women. It ends up becoming a pretty big feast and a girlfriend gathering.

Pads and pencils are placed all around my house and a fire is burning outside on my porch. At some point during the party each guest picks up a pad and makes a list of all the things they want to be rid of from the past year. These lists are private - no one will see them or discuss them with you - no judgement here! When each person leaves the party, she tosses her list into the fire, burning up all the bad luck and the negativity from the past year. She emerges and walks - cleansed - into the new year.

I always get a kick out of watching each individual handling the task. The first year they say, "Oh I don't have much to write," and they politely sit and jot a quick line or two. By their second or third year attending, they come in the door saying, "Do you have a notebook, because I could fill the whole thing - I've been waiting to get rid of this since June!" Things that you can't get over are gone; negativity is dropped. And history is - well-  history! It will sap no more of your precious energy. My guests  leave with a clean slate, ready for the new year, optimistic and ready for good things to happen!

Out with the old and in with the new!

It's a little hard hosting this party. On the 31st, everyone is busy readying themselves for their New Years Eve parties. There are groceries to buy, nails to have done, houses to clean. And, frankly,everyone (including me) is pretty tired of the seasonal festivities by that point! But those who find the time to stop by, have a wonderful time. It seems to morph into a morning off for all of these busy women who have given their families wonderful holidays through shear hard work; shopping, cleaning and feeding everyone on their list. They kick off their shoes, settle down to some good grub (that they didn't have to cook), and have a few drinks as they review their past year, with all it's successes and troubles. Their work now just about done, they leave with souls cleansed from looking internally, while surrounded by the support of the good friends they love.

I encourage you to give it a try. If you are not up for hosting a party, do a variation with your family. Take out your cosmic  trash!

Forget your troubles - come on - get happy!

Enjoy your season, friends!

This has been such a fun theme. I've made up my mind to pick up on some of the traditions our FOL group has described. Please add to the Flickr mix before the month is out, and share your photos of your family's traditions.