Shambhala Day 2016

Hello Lovelies,

Happy Shambhala Day to you! If you don't know what Shambhala Day is, it's the Tibetan new year. I know you may be wondering what this has to do with anything, but as a taoist/zen buddhist, Shambhala Day is the equivalent of Christmas in these circles.  It's a major holiday, just like Chinese New Year. So, again, joyous Shambhala Day to you!

This is my first year celebrating Shambhala Day, I've only decidedly been taoist and zen buddhist since the mid-2015. I will by no means speak as though I'm an expert on this today, but from what I gather, it's basically a karmic cleansing and celebration for the new year.  So, typically one would start the day with meditation to center oneself. Then it would be normal to cleanse your house by opening every door, closet, or drawer and burning juniper while doing a simple chant to invite positive spirits and energy; though if you don't know the chant or don't really understand it, you can just think positive thoughts to invite those spirits. Then get ready for your day by dressing up. We want to be excited for this new year, and we want to bring it in with our best foot forward. Next, spend some time reflecting on your life, preferably in nature, and contemplating new choices you can make this year to make it the life you want. You can also do some research about the animal of the year, in this case, the fire monkey. And that's about it, unless you want to head to a shambhala center or buddhist center, where they will undoubtedly have celebrations.

Basically, it's about starting the year off on a good note, clearing out those karmic dust bunnies, and starting the year off with positivity. I'm excited today. I'm happy today. I'm approaching today as a celebration, even though I am going to work in just a bit. I'm going to carry my positivity, and the spirit of shambhala day with me throughout my day. I want my day today to be lived with a peaceful, gentle, and loving heart. That's what will be my guide today. I gave my spare change to a homeless man outside Starbucks this morning for that very reason. I didn't hesitate or really think about it at all, I just knew I had change and I could afford to spare it, so I gave it to him.  It might not make a huge difference for him, or maybe it will, but it didn't hurt me any, and it might help him, so why not? 

It's Shambhala Day, let's spread the love, gentleness, peacefulness, and be kindhearted today. It takes nothing from us, but maybe a moment to rethink our initial reaction, but it helps start our year out on the right foot. Today, if only just for today, let's give today the best version of ourselves. Let's speak a little kinder, love a little harder, spread a little more joy, act a little more gently, etc. We can do this. And let's be excited for this new year!  Let's embrace today as we do Christmas, and treat everyone as we do during the holiday season. Let's start our karma off right. Let's be the best version of ourselves possible. Let's make ourselves, our loved ones, our ancestors, our divine inner being, proud by being the person that makes everyone's day a little brighter just by shining a little brighter ourselves.

As always lovelies, have an amazing day!  You are going to do amazing things, I know it, and I believe in you!  Now let's go enchant the rest of the world!

Xoxo
Kayla