When we set spiritual goals for the New Year we create a foundation for material goals to blossom. If we focus solely on the external – the exercise program, the weight loss, the financial plans, the career success – we end up feeling empty, even if we do achieve them. When we place our attention on the essence of these objectives, the true reason we want to achieve them, we feel whole and balanced. From this place it becomes much easer to manifest our heart’s desires.

I was inspired last night watching Michael Bernard Beckwith’s DVD, Spiritual Liberation – Fulfilling Your Soul’s Potential. He reminded me of the importance of remembering my higher purpose in life; the reason I am here on the planet at this time. So when I sit down to reflect on my goals for the upcoming year, I will set spiritual goals first, and allow other plans to unfold from there.

Below is a process I use when setting goals for the New Year. As you set your spiritual goals, remember the wise words of Abraham Lincoln: “And in the end it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”

Review Last Year

Before we move onto something new, we need to let go of the old. Everything that took place last year is gone. What remains are the lessons, gifts and growth. Review your past year before you set goals for the New Year. Here are some questions to get you started:

~ What were the challenging parts of last year? What did you learn from them?

~ What were the uplifting parts? What developed and blossomed as a result?

~ What surprises took place? How did you handle them?

~ What softened, what strengthened, what opened within you?

When you have reviewed all the ups, downs and in-betweens of last year, bid them a fond farewell and move onto the present and future.

Set Spiritual Goals for the New Year

It’s often easier to think of external, material goals, but within these are the seeds of spiritual growth. For example, I want to earn a certain amount of money next year. When I explore why, I see it’s because I want to feel free and abundant.

If I make the spiritual goals of freedom and abundance a priority, the money will naturally follow (as within, so without the saying goes). Examine all of the things you’d like to achieve next year through the following questions:

~ What will achieving each goal give you? Why do you really want it? How will you feel when you have it?

~ With each goal, what wants to emerge in you, what’s waiting to blossom?

~ What qualities do you value most – i.e. love, amusement, creativity, adventure? How can you turn these into goals?

~ What spiritual qualities would you like to develop, strengthen or deepen – i.e. unconditional love, forgiveness, patience, trust, truth? How can you embrace these in your life on a daily basis?

Spiritual goals are not necessarily measurable in the same way material goals are. There isn’t a measuring stick or end result to love, forgiveness and patience. They blossom and materialize in a variety of ways. Yet, with the simple power of intention, you can set them in motion without any specific plans in place. As Michael Beckwith reminds us, “The power within you is greater than the power that’s in the world.”

What are your spiritual goals for the New Year? Please share below, we’d love to hear from you.