YEAR

No going out loudly or ringing on its way in.

The new year is sensitive and longs to be wrapped in a heavy cloak

to buffer against the cold. It asks for a gentle start.

For the dark hours that come early to be an invitation

to turn inward, and to wake to your heart with poems and song.

Be gentle, it whispers.

We are becoming, which is a slow process that gets bruised by too much doing.

Light more candles.

Drink your tea sitting down.

Crack open a book.

Let the cat climb onto your lap.

Allow strong emotions and dark thoughts to have their say,

then decide if they should go or stay. Put them on a page, or burn them.

Name their place to guide or no longer define you.

Your heart told me today that it wants more fires lit in your soul.

To drink in nourishment as raindrops on a leaf -

your outstretched tongue catching pearls of cool water.

Your face turned up to the sky. Your heart open to feel all.

There is nothing to be afraid of here.

You have STRENGTH.

You have endured the fire and the rain of your expectations.

There are scars to prove where you have healed,

and precious signs of your will to live.

Be present with what is. Begin again.

This is the singular wish of this new year.

To see you live and live and live again.

To gently beat the drum of your own heart.

To offer up your arms, open up your palms,

and send your hope and connection to the sky.