The world right now is not what I would wish it to be. I will be the first to admit that the last two years have been challenging, scary, disheartening, and maddening. Yet, I am alive. I have survived and endured. I hope for a better future and am glad to say, “Welcome!”to the new year.
I stopped making resolutions years ago when the top three were always: eat better, exercise, and lose weight. Those are worthy aspirations, but somehow fail to express the moment we are in moving from 2021 to 2022. My goals are not about “fixing me” or creating a better me. I am looking at what I am and what I have and learning to embrace life now.
You do not have to sit outside in the dark. If, however, you want to look at the stars,
you will find that darkness is necessary.
Annie Dillard (b. 1945) American author, best known for narrative prose
in both fiction and non-fiction
Yesterday I looked out the kitchen window and and saw bulbs beginning to peek through the brown leaves. I was surprised because it is only the end of December. The sight sparked a moment of joy and realization that the world keeps moving forward. Although things die, some survive and return . . . every year. It is a continuous cycle. Each in its season, plants say welcome to the new year. Those little shoots remind me that spring will be here soon!
When we are not mature we only want laughter and fun and a perpetual summer time. There is no virtue in winter and we avoid pain at all costs. The consequence of this is, not only are we likely to be selfish, but we lack the contrasts that give life depth and meaning.
Malcolm Guite (b. 1957) English poet, singer-songwriter, Anglican priest, and academic
As much as I would like to skip winter, darkness, and the hard parts of life—those are what force me to really look at myself, others, and the world. It is in that looking beyond myself that brings new insights about humanity and creation.
As I welcome the new year I will believe in the message of the daffodils. The bulb stores food throughout the winter keeping the plant alive. Then when the time is right, the green stems peep through the leaves bringing the promise of flowers that are sure to come.
My reminders to myself this new year?
see the darkness but look through it to the light
express gratitude every day
share love every day
enjoy music, make music, compose music
remember to sing and dance
believe in the promise of spring
Leave a Reply
Your email is safe with us.