Burn This Paper - Transform Your Life

Do you want something new for 2023? Something better?

I know I do.

And I also know that you're the kind of a person who seeks the next level. Otherwise you wouldn't be reading this. Right?

This process has been priceless for many. I ask you to read this 'till the end and try for yourself!

I promise it will be so worth it!

As 2023 is about to begin and the current is about to close, I invite you to take inventory with me.

The blueprint for taking inventory comes from Lao Tzu, founder of the philosophical system of Taoism. He is best known as the author of Tao-Te-Ching.

For me, there has been deep value in each of the following five lines.

Watch your thoughts, they become words;

watch your words, they become actions;

watch your actions, they become habits;

watch your habits, they become character;

watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.

Based on this, there are three questions that I ask myself when I take inventory.

1. What about my thoughts I need to give up now.
2. What about my thoughts I wish to grow/improve/cultivate?
3. What do I want to add to my thoughts?

Here is how the process goes in practice.

Part 1: Letting go

Often I discover that there is a list of worries, grudges, self doubts and ruminating in past failures that I need to let go of. Past arguments to forgive and simply things to forgive myself about the past year.

I write these things on a paper.

All the small things and all the big things. Zero critical thinking, just train of thought.

After I finish writing I go outside with the paper.

I play Time by Hans Zimmer.

Then I burn the paper.

 This ritual is a powerful metaphor for my subconsious.

After the ritual I usually feel like a weight has lifted from my shoulders.

The first part of the process creates space for something new and something better.

Part 2: Planting the seed

To capture this new opportunity and fill the space with empowering thoughts, I take out a second piece of paper and write some more.

• What are some new and empowering things I wish to cultivate or add to my thoughts?
• What am I happy about?
• What am I excited about?
• Who do I love and who loves me?
• What am I committed to?
• Who's on my side? Or who could be?
• Why I believe in myself more now?
• What are the new and better things I believe about other people and the world?
  Just the act of writing these things down generates new kind of feelings.

If you do this process with me, this is a perfect time to pause and reflect.

With these feelings, are you more or less likely to say beautiful things to others? Are you more or less likely to take better action? How will this feeling reflect on your character?

I bet you know the answer.

Now it's time for the last action to light up the subconscious!

I seal this second paper in an envelope or fold it to never open it again.

When the time is right I play another song.

No Sacrifice, No Victory by Steve Jablonsky.

Then I bury the paper in the ground like a seed and leave it.

If it's winter, I use a pot where I grow my chili peppers. My peppers seem to like it!

Funny right?

I admit, this process felt silly the first time I did it.

However, the sense of new beginning and empowering emotions this process generated far outweighed the silly.

Hence, I do this twice a year.

Once before new years eve and once during the mid summer festival in Finland.

Now let me ask you.

What would it take for you to create a ritual like this for yourself?

With inspiration an energy!

-- Antti from Kaizen Hour

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