So here we are on the eve of another year.  Most of us are remembering the past ups and downs and trying to imagine what 2023 will look like.  No doubt the next year will be filled with unexpected hurdles and moments of joy.  I am always struck by the melancholy that washes over this time of year and the optimism that propels us from one year to the next.   

Some of us have already figured out our resolutions….drop ten pounds, be a kinder neighbor, take a break from holiday libations, read more, travel…..you get the point.  Resolutions are great for a lot of folks but not for me.  My issue with resolutions is that they are usually unsustainable and in the end just disappointing.  The gym memberships get wasted and the other goals are so lofty that they end up falling short.  So I opt for a simple tradition instead.   

I have used the same style of 9x11” calendar for thirty years and it goes everywhere with me.  As the days and months go by I record new events, quotes, and birthdays.  I can see my life at a glance and that always brings me comfort.    And that calendar carries its own tradition.   

My friend, Sarah Brokaw, a psychotherapist and author, has written about five words that serve as guideposts.  I have never forgotten them.    GRACE.   CONNECTEDNESS.  ACCOMPLISHMENT.  ADVENTURE.  SPIRITUALITY.
They ground me and guide me.  I write them down every year in the back of my calendar and reflect on the things that have filled those buckets and use them to guide me in the New Year . 

Happy New Year everyone.  I wish you grace and spirituality in all the small moments, connectedness to your fellow man, accomplishments large and small, and the spirit of adventure in everything you do. 

~Nancy