A New Year

Begins Again

It’s always interesting to look back before I look ahead. Last year, I put a lot of energy into changing my trajectory. Decisions were made, effort was needed to develop new skills. I established a new routine. Those investments in myself have paid off. This year, as I look forward to 2025, my intention is to stay the course. ‘Slow and steady’, or ‘rinse and repeat’ are my mottos for this year.

I am pulling from my past portfolio of writing, both fiction and non-fiction, brushing a few pieces off, finishing some abandoned work, and finding some forgotten gems. All of this digging into the past, bears fruit for the work into the future. Upon review, I’m farther ahead on some of the projects that were lost in the shuffle previously. While updating my portfolio, I’m inspired that I am on the right track. I have a wealth of experience and a depth of work that I wasn’t giving myself credit for.

To celebrate the year as we begin again, here is a poem I wrote a while ago.

Say Yes

Perhaps it was something said by family at dinner

Perhaps it was something said by strangers at yoga

Perhaps it was something said by characters in a novel

Perhaps it was something said by creatives in community

For sure, it is something I say now

I have outgrown my old self.

I am bumping into furniture, stubbing toes, tripping on carpets

like everything has been moved

and I am learning a new terrain

when on the surface it all looks the same as it always did.

And that new space is me.

My identity.

My sense of self.

My lens of perceptions.

All my aspects have been readjusted, tweaked,

some completely overhauled.

I cannot re-shape myself into my past self.

I have tried other times and succeeded, so I do know that is possible.

It comes at a cost, though,

that I do know, now.

This time. Now. I can’t go back.

It’s simply not possible.

And I stretch and grow and hold myself tall.

Like a spring plant that has had the winter’s debris removed.

The old mulch was a good protector from the harsh cold world

It has served its purpose.

Now, I am a tall flower, reaching for the sun.

I breathe in and say yes.

Wishing all of you a Happy New Year.

As we all Begin Again.