ANOTHER YEAR OVER

2025 ENDS AND there it goes! WHOOOOSH!

Every year I sit back around this time and reflect on the year that was;  this year is somewhat different as I am ending my 6th decade on this Earth and realizing a lot of time has passed — a real lot of time has passed!

Although the year has truly ‘whoooshed’ by, it really has been a great one — another great one — but, 2025 has been especially great. I think I have said that over the past many years probably because I seem to have branched out a lot, tried new things, made new things, met new people, gone to new places, and journeyed on or further into intriguing experiences, and enjoyed continuing the journey into curiosities. I guess the biggest lesson for me has been learning how to let go and how to hang on. It has become as easy as breathing in deeply through the nose and letting the air out slowly and emphatically through the mouth both literally and symbolically .

Here are some examples:

1. For a long time people in my world have asked me why I don’t get my stories and poems professionally published.  No statement could be more hurtful to my ego nor to my inner being, because I have self-published dozens of collections, shared them freely in hard copy and on line, and felt very good about all of it. Recently I  sucked up ‘public opinion’  and went the professional publishing route with vim and vigour, fully optimistic, only to realize it was not what it was cracked up to be. I am not saying it was a waste of time. I am saying my gut told me or reminded me I don’t like waving my flag; I don’t like self-promotion; I don’t like ceremony. I do more than like (love) writing; I do more than like (love) sharing my writing. I do honour Canadian author Margaret Atwood, I admire her, but I don’t aim to follow her same route. Just watching her book launches and promotions tires me, and I bet she is tired, overwhelmed and always happy to retreat to her Toronto island garden home and watch the birds. I, too, love to write and love to self-publish; but, then my next step is to retreat to my abode or to Aruba to just veg, relax and breathe. Pomp and ceremony is just not for me.       Let self-love rule. Lesson learned.

2. This year I attended a Peace Festival in Amsterdam. It was dubbed ‘Let Love Rule Peace” — it was hosted by my newest intriguing friend Sofie, and some of her co-horts. I went by invitation and because of curiosity. I have to admit I was a bit apprehensive and a tad worried that I was entering something like a cult, and that perhaps I would come out of it consumed with radical or ‘off the grid’ transformation.  It was my very first ‘out of the box’ or ‘ outside of the mainstream’ life experience. Why did my head start off worried? Well I know the answer — anything ‘new’ seems to worry me.  I am too often convinced that I am living a very good life — so why eat ginger if I really don’t have to? Turns out this Tree planting Peace festival was truly enriching and enlightening. It was not a mini-Woodstock; it was not an attempt to lure me into something bizarre. It was a gathering of passionate and curious people concerned about our unpeaceful world. They are believers in doing something small, getting others to do something small, and together we might have an impact on the way in which human decisions can be made in a non-destructive, non-harmful, non-hurtful, or endlessly painful way. Every small effort to highlight the lack of peace in our world is like planting a fresh new seed, and anointing it with energy, support and guidance to grow, spread and do well. My mind extended that peace message to apply to not only a drive for world peace, but as a symbol of bringing internal peace to the lives of individuals suffering from abuse, injury, health issues, loss, financial woes or anything else that causes them stress, sadness or strife. Planting a healthy ‘seed’ is key to feeling peace and feeling at peace. Examples: a phone call; a message; a card or letter; a visit; a wave, hug, compliment, invitation. Feel the power of selflessness. Lesson  learned.
3. I think the one common denominator of each and every year of life and living, each and every experience, each and every upper or downer, is there is a lesson in all things. Be true to your inner self always; speak your truth; reach out when needed; accept help when needed, respect differences in opinions, be humble, patient, kind, understanding, oh patient, did I say patient? Yes I know — that is still a work in progress!

What’s most important is that we keep living and keep learning; know when to stay and when to walk away;  look up instead of down; push away negativity and pull in positivity; inspire ourselves and each other; be a good keynote speaker but also a good audience; and, be just like a seed that starts alone, but depends on others to help it grow proudly and confidently for the greater good of ourselves, each other and the bigger world — and for whomever comes next. 

LESSON LEARNED in 2025: For the greater good of ourselves, and all things, all people and all places: plant your most coveted “seed” where one is needed, any one of your best seeds, use your personal magic to help it grow well, then let it grow, watch it grow, and grow and grow!  Everything new starts with one seed.

☮︎🇨🇦♥️🎶. ☮️