Growing up, my dad and I had a tradition. Every year, on New Year’s eve, as the clock chimed at midnight, we would collectively focus on a single wish. It had to be a profound, most secret wish, held silently and reverently in our minds for the entire year. Yet at midnight, it was allowed to surface into our consciousness, and materialize as an affirmation. The powerful and inspiring momentum, created by the affirmation, carried us through the cold, bitter months of many winters. I was recently reminded of this by a patient, who authored powerful, health-focused affirmations to be sealed and kept by an energy healer.

Affirmation, as defined by Wikipedia, is a “terminology refer primarily to the practice of positive thinking and self-empowerment—fostering a belief that a positive mental attitude supported by affirmations will achieve success in anything. More specifically, an affirmation is a carefully formatted statement that should be repeated to one’s self and written down frequently. For an affirmation to be effective, it needs to be present tense, positive, personal and specific.”

So, this year, I will be making a new AFFIRMATION. I will affirm my commitment to wellness and healing. In the past year, I created such positive changes in my health, and the health of others. I saw my thyroid, adrenal, and nutrient deficiencies remit. My sleep improved, and my mood, cognition, stamina and well-being skyrocketed. I resolved the symptoms of estrogen excess, reduced my insulin resistance, and pushed away at inflammation that drives so many women of my age, who are peri-menopausal, to either heart disease, cancer, or both in about 20 years…I became a better version of myself.

Every year, I silently and privately acknowledge my past. At the stroke of midnight, I revisit the bittersweet memories. Bitter, because for many years, the positive belief did not produce a change. Sweet, because once it did, my life changed immeasurably, in the ways I could never guess or imagine.

In 1986, my collective affirmation with my father was to leave the Soviet Union for good. It happened on January 16, 1987. This year, at the stroke of midnight, will be my 30th anniversary of the collective affirmation, and the first anniversary of another one. I invite you to join me in this new affirmation at the stroke of midnight:

  1. SICKNESS IS OFTEN BY CHANCE.
  2. WELLNESS IS ALWAYS BY CHOICE.
  3. NOTHING AND NO ONE CAN STOP ME FROM MAKING A RIGHT CHOICE.
  4. I CHOOSE TO BE EMPOWERED.
  5. I HAVE THE POWER TO BE WELL.
  6. I HAVE THE POWER TO BE A BETTER VERSION OF MYSELF.

And with that: May 2016 bring you the best of wellness and vitality, be the year of peace, love and frinedship, and be the year of your power, and your choice!

Best wishes!