Hello 2018
The solitude. The quiet, The introspection. The candle light. The backdrop of silence for the winter birds’ song. My soul needs winter. And that a new year begins in the middle of it? Like a gift itself. In it there’s time to pause, to reflect, to set aspirations and intentions. To check the moorings and examine the horizons. To plot the course. To know that, this year, life will require me to trust, to listen, and to dance, as it always does.
I let my time off last week sink into my bones. It was so refreshing, so affirming. I worked, yes, but when work is on your own schedule, it somehow doesn’t feel so much like work. I also read and watched movies and ate caramels. Grin. I stayed up far later than usual one night, knitting with beautiful green yarn. The house was quiet and dark, save for a single bulb that illuminated my work. Round and round, cabling, increasing, decreasing, watching the pattern emerge. Doing something new. Hesitantly, at first, nervous, then trusting and relaxing into it.
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There was a golden-yellow dog, bouncing in anticipation, whining with excitement. For the first time in the new year, we snapped into nordic skis and skimmed the high mountain trail, Nellie streaking off ahead, then running back to find us. The blue sky and clear sun called me out of myself, the fresh mountain air straightened what needed straightening. Reminding, again, how much my inside needs outside.
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Pencil to journal, filling in the blanks with months, dates, events, moving from one year to the next. Writing, writing, writing on blank pages, thoughts, ideas, and plans. Scratching out, circling. Seeing. Not seeing. Circling back. Knowing that this year, life will require me to trust, to listen, and to dance, as it always does.
Two days out of five, soup simmered on the back burner of the stove, welcome peasant food after the decadent holiday table. Creamy potato bacon one day, chicken noodle another, eaten hot from crockery bowls by the spoonful. Simple food. Soul food. Winter food. (With a note to self to make a batch every weekend for my coming weeks’ lunches.)
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Just a couple weeks in with this sitting on a shelf in our living room bookcase, and from moment one, I was in love (we all were). Such a small thing. Such a pretty thing, and such great sound. If I’ve made one resolution for the new year it is to take my music situation to the next level. I’m ready. With Spotify Premium, and my Tivoli stereo, I’m ready to curate playlists, find new artists, and save old favorites. (Hey, if you have any good recs, let me know!)
So, here we are, loves, with 2018 before us. I’m looking forward to it, and am so glad to have you along.
