Twenty Seventeen came on a cold, winter, night, coupled with cold showers and heavy winds. The first day of the New Year included another cold, winter day, and gloom all around the city… Happy New Year? The shifting of our calendar marks a new year, 365 days of complete newness— 365 days ahead that we have never experienced before.

How will yours be defined?

Define, define: state or describe exactly the nature, scope, or meaning of.

I took a close look at last year, and decided what I wanted to do different in 2016. Of course, it’s easy to adopt a clear understanding of what you will and will not allow in a new year–on January 3rd— but you have to start somewhere, I had to start somewhere. I defined 2016 as a year of pure enlightenment and spiritual awareness. I went on a journey to explore, myself. I took an audit of my overall level of happiness and sense of self right after my birthday, and since August, I have happily and peacefully been in still mode.

I took time to learn more about what I have been doing and how these things have caused me to get in and out of alignment with source. Balance and alignment with source are the most critical aspects of happiness and pure joy. These two things cannot be duplicated, they cannot be forced– they either are or are not. During my stillness, I learned so much about myself. The essence of who I am, and what it means to be Giselle.

How will I define 2017?  Whatever this response is, is how my year will be defined. No matter how much we try to deny it, every internal thought is ours, we own it. Our mind is ours, we make it up, we decide whether or not we had a “good year,” or a “horrible year.” Yes, there were several celebrity deaths in 2016, but how much of a personal impact did these public deaths really have on your everyday life? Nevertheless, 2016 ended with a bang, and the New Year is yours.

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I took this pic right before the year’s end. This is the natural me, no makeup, wild hair, energy at peace, heart open to love– and in alignment with source.

This is my New Year New Me Vibe: CULTIVATE LOVE, BE AT PEACE.

10 Ways to Define Your New Year, New You Vibe

I’ve compiled a list of daily–DAILY– practices to incorporate into my being, as a way to stay balanced and in alignment with source. These are all personal development-oriented. It’s so easy to say “I’ll finish school, or start a new business,” but one must be fully developed, personally— in order to achieve these things. I want to focus on the internal self, the one that enables you to achieve external goals.

These tips are designed specifically for me, but feel free to make a few adjustments so that yours are custom sized for you.

1. Create a Vision Board. Think images, pictures, visualize your year. What does it look like? Where will you go? What do you want to obtain? Cut it out of a magazine and create a collage of your vision for 2017. I’ve done this since 2011, and all the visions came to pass–literally.
2. Practice femininity, to unleash your feminine power. Ladies, I’ve been on this topic among peers for a few months, since last year when I felt so out of alignment. We (especially black women) MUST start practicing femininity, daily! Be love, soft, happy, creative, nurturing, compassionate, passive, receiving, open… here’s a head start video.
3. Be grateful for every part of your day. Those who receive more and win more in life, tend to have an attitude of gratitude. When you find yourself about to complain, or getting angry, consider the gracious side of the scenario, daily.
4. Guard your energy. I was told there is a new way of bullying. It is when people who are intimidated by you try to get close to you to steal some of your energy. GUARD IT! People who do this often leave you feeling drained and annoyed, so be sure not to give off too much of your awesome for someone else to leech off of.
5. More love, less combat. How many heated debates do you find yourself in the midst of, whether on social media or between you and your partner? You end up feeling tired, angry, and upset that the person on the other end missed your entire point. Pick your battles wisely, especially to my sisters. Stop arguing to defend black womanhood, and instead embrace the essence of being a sweet, loving, nurturing, happy black woman.
6. Study a New Language. I’m studying Igbo for personal reasons. I am fluent in Spanish and it has been so fun activating that part of my brain by way of learning a new language, try it out!
7. Stay on Schedule. Plan your hours of day, days of the week, and weekends of the month. Look ahead, and stay on schedule. You’d be surprised at how productive your week can be if you write down all of your goals and things-to-do.
8. Open your heart. It’s easy to hate what you don’t understand. But it’s even harder to love what you don’t understand. Keep your heart open. Whatever bad energy you’ve been carrying since childhood—write a note of encouragement to your younger self. Spend time with toddlers and love on them, to help manifest a true spirit of love in your life.
9. Be completely honest with yourself. Our mind is so trippy, we actually start to believe the lies we tell ourselves! Check out this video to learn ways to stop lying to yourself so that you can outgrow bad habits and stay balanced in life.
10. Let go of the fear of finance. The elephant in the country: money. Here’s a soft way to get over this fear. Do you have a friend who seems to be really great with money? Let her know about your struggle. Tell her your salary, and get advice on how to be better at having and keeping your coins in order. Sisterly advice always goes far!

So, who is ready to enter a year full of celebrations and manifestations?

Cheers to 2017!

In love and peace,

Giselle

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Featured Image Photo Credit: @BiolaoJo_