Dear Reader,
Here I am in your inbox with loads of things to chat about!
I’ll tell you about my New Year’s Rituals, what inspires me now, and news and events!
Who decided that New Year’s is for resolutions? I’m not much for them. I’ll feel bad when I fail, so years ago, I found my rituals to begin the year with reflection, a pen, and a notebook.
First, I take some quiet time and look back at the year to marvel at the good things, to mourn the sad stuff, and to acknowledge and be present with everything that happened. I am still trying to wrap my thoughts and feelings around 2023! As I poured over the calendar and photos to remember, I was overwhelmed with pure delight! Oh, THIS and THIS and THAT and OH THIS!
I write it down this way: “Last year I….” and then I keep going with awe. The trips, the book tour, all the simply astounding things that happened with The Secret Book of Flora Lea, the moments with all of you, the travel with family, the full moons, and the waning ones too.
Then, I write down my intentions for the coming year. Think of it as a vision board but with words. I write about goals, but the things I write down concern who I want to become in the world. This is as important as solid goals like “finish the next book." Those goals are so innate now – meditation and spiritual growth, staying healthy, writing what matters, traveling with curiosity – that they don’t change much from year to year. So, I try to make my intentions specific to what I want my work and life to look like this year.
Will I fulfill them all? Nope. Did I last year? Nope. Were there hard moments? Oh, hell yes! Goals not achieved? Sure! But growth and learning and sheer delight! Another YES!
This ritual works for me – looking back, looking forward, and then choosing a word for the year.
This year: INTENTION. I want to be part of the world with intention and presence.
For all of you who were on so much of this ride with me - family, readers, friends, publisher, agent, and YOU! We most assuredly went after life with all we’ve got!
Let’s do some more of that this year with HUGE LOVE!