A New Year’s Wish

I am writing this as the sun sets on my favorite day of the year. 

The setting sun has taken with it all but the remaining few hours of 2023. 

I find myself reflecting on the past twelve months, as most of us are wont to do. What have I accomplished, and where have I given myself grace and understanding when accomplishments were not within my grasp?

Have I made resolutions? Will I stay up until midnight? Are we having a special dinner? Going out to watch fireworks? 

One of those may be a yes. 

Or maybe not. 

My days of ringing in the new year loudly are long past.

Instead, I choose to say goodbye, quietly, to 2023 and to thank it for the gifts it brought and the lessons learned. 

I choose to bring the new year in softly. Gently. Waking slowly and stretching. Then, with open arms, I will greet it with kindness and welcome. 

May the new year remind you that every day can be a fresh beginning. 

Every hour.

Every minute. 

May you have the strength to face your challenges and faith in yourself as you rise to meet them. May you find joy and hope even when you least expect it. 

May you reach deep inside and always remember who you are and where you fit in this crazy yet beautiful world in which we live. 

Every day.

Every hour.

Every minute.