I have become fond of rituals over the past few years. They help to define, celebrate and acknowledge segments of our lives. They draw a line in the sand. Last month my daughter was presented to her school as part of the senior year at her Debutante Ball. All the girls looked stunning, beautiful and poised to lead the rest of the school for 2008. It marked the beginning of a new level of responsibility and leadership in their lives. Yesterday I attended another ritual at the other end of life - a funeral of a loved friend and colleague. Both events were cause for thought and celebration...and a tear shed with love.

In less than two weeks another year will pass and I thought you might enjoy a timely ritual to help define, acknowledge and celebrate 2007. You'll need some quiet, private time and space, pen and paper.

The idea is to squeeze all the remaining 'juice' out of the year, leave the baggage behind and take the luggage with you. By baggage I mean any distress, pain, bitterness, regret, suffering, angst, anguish and anxiety. I think you get my drift.

The luggage is all the hidden gifts that arise from adversity, your learnings and wisdom gleaned along the path. Add to this, the beauty, blessings, joy and inspiration that has touched you throughout the year. Here's the process in more detail.

Take a piece of paper and mark out the chronological events of 2007 on a straight line.It could include changes in your career, relationships, health and family, birthdays, anniversaries and special events. This will offer you an overview or snapshot of the year.

Next, list your achievements, small, medium and large. Again, use the categories above as a prompter for your thoughts.

Now, list your challenges, difficult times and any painful or distressing times. As you review both achievements and challenges, put on your 'detective' hat and search for the gifts that were presented to you and the opportunities to learn and grow. Note how you responded to them and if you would have responded differently given the blessing of hindsight. What are you learning about your character? What are your strengths and what could you improve on? List these down.

It is important as you do this, to look at yourself through eyes of compassion rather than eyes of judgment. You probably don't need to add (more) guilt and burdens onto your shoulders!

Spend as much time in your self appraisal, in actively seeking out all the good things you did, as you spend on the challenging or troubling times. Recognize the positive contribution you have made to the lives of others, in whatever way you do that. This is part of the special juice that makes life satisfying and worthwhile.

When you have separated out the luggage from the baggage, collected and distilled the juice, think now of 2008. You may have already charted out your goals and desires for the coming year. Take note of your luggage from 2007 and notice how it can fit into and influence your 2008. And so in 12 months time, when you draw a line the sand for 2008 it has way more luggage than baggage...and juice!
By the way - one of my most precious rituals is when Julie, my partner, and I say goodbye during the day or evening. We always include the words 'I love you'. It makes every day special. Do you have a favourite ritual? I'd love to heard about it.