beginnings

a rosy end to the year just passed

I think New Year's Day is possibly my favorite holiday, after my birthday of course. What!? you don't celebrate my birthday? I know, my birthday is not a national holiday but it is a personal one for me and always a happy day.

I'm always in a good mood on New Year's Day. The end of the year holidays and festivities starting way back with Halloween, culminating in fireworks and revelry, are over. Today is the first day of a new year, a clean slate, and the possibilities are endless. Today we are supermen and women, we can accomplish anything. We can choose to be new and different, happier and more fulfilled, kinder, gentler, more compassionate. We can take control of our lives and live more consciously. We can set out our goals and start on the new path to achieve them. Of course, maintaining those changes and commitments is the challenge as the year progresses. But now, today? All is possible!

Last night's sunset was one of those rare events where the very air is colored. Everything was suffused with a pink glow. Not too shabby an end to a year of challenge, progress and karmic lessons. Oh yes, several karmic lessons for me this past year.

I let go of a drive for fame and fortune and in the process became re-inspired in my work. I started a new decade of life. We fully settled in the country house and made substantial progress on building the new shop. We gave thanks for our daughter's survival of a life threatening event and spent a lot of time with the g'kids. We got out of debt (mostly). I helped and cared for my sister as her husband passed out of this world. And through all, we have been happy and healthy.

For all this I am grateful.

Now here, poised on the threshold of this fine new year, I am filled with optimism as it lays open before me to make of it what I will.

and a rosy portent for the new one starting