Happy Epiphany!

Published in the Idaho State Journal and Blackfoot Morning News week of January 1, 2012

I hope everyone had a great 12 days of Christmas!  If you were celebrating Christmas old-school, you’d be at the end of nearly two leisurely weeks of visiting family, opening gifts, and eating, drinking, and being merry in general.  The 12 days of Christmas ends on January 6 and the holiday of Epiphany.  Also called 3 Kings Day, Epiphany commemorates the arrival of the Magi with gifts for newborn Jesus.  It can be celebrated by taking down Christmas, doing something special for twelfth night, or leaving straw under your bed for the Magi’s camels in exchange for little treats.   

The origins of the word Epiphany mean “to manifest,” “to show,” or “reveal.”  The Magi revealed the divinity of Jesus on Epiphany.  Fast-forward a few thousand secular years, and the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines epiphany as (1) a usually sudden () perception of the essential nature or meaning of something (2) : an intuitive grasp of reality through something () simple and striking (3) : an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure.  What a wonderful thing to celebrate!    

An epiphany, breakthrough, sudden insight, or a-ha moment is an experience that makes us feel better, sets our mind at ease, answers a question, or points out a direction.   The 12 days of Christmas includes New Years Day and New Years resolutions.  Perhaps you can make a resolution to be an epiphany-seeker along with the other goals on your list.    

What flashes of insight would you like to experience this year?  What do you hope to learn about yourself?  How can you set yourself up to accidentally figure something out?  Whether it’s being braver in the face of challenge, asking bolder questions, examining your positive core, or taking a risk, 2012 is as good a year as any to seek a little personal enlightenment.  Are you guaranteed that epiphany?  No.  Do some things never get answered?  Yes.  But living a life of self-examination and cautious bravery is reward by itself, and you never know what might happen.

Another way to celebrate Epiphany might be to experiment with being a catalyst for someone else’s epiphany.  Maybe you should call that person who’s been on your mind all year.  What if you called them at their perfect moment?  Their “out of the blue, at just the right time” moment?   What random act of kindness might make someone’s day particularly bright?  An extra-big tip, $5 at the register for the next customer’s purchase, knocking on a neighbor’s door with cookies.  Or, have January 6 be Meaningful Quote Day—where you hand out some of your favorite quotes to friends, coworkers, or family.      

Sometimes epiphanies are once or twice in a lifetime experiences.  Sometimes epiphanies rain down like a meteor shower.  Some are examined, many are ignored.  Every year is a clean slate—what do you want it to look like at the end?  What is in your control to change, and are you in the mood for change?  Hopefully, you are not only making resolutions and setting goals on December 31.  Change and self-improvement is an active, year-round process.  What you resolve to do in January must be re-examined in April, July, October, weekly, monthly, or daily.  If it’s personal enlightenment you seek, be sure act accordingly year-round, and may it be a great year.   Onward!  

Nancy Goodman is a licensed counselor with an emphasis on life and career coaching.  Nancy can be reached at 208-406-3234 or goodnanc@yahoo.com.  http://vocatusidaho.blogspot.com.