Final thoughts of 2023
a thank you to my readers/a few announcements and some pancakes
I'm heading into my first official Substack vacation for the remainder of the year (weddings didn't count, as time off was a necessity and indeed not a slow time.)
This break feels well deserved, perhaps why I'm already easing into a slowness; picture bourbon syrup or our homemade pomegranate syrup (we can't choose one over the other, so we have both) oozing over freshly grilled pancakes alongside a few strips of bacon and there you have it; I'm sinking in ever so quickly to the restful period approaching.
I will not be writing, nor will I be working in the tasting room or teaching yoga. Two weeks to contemplate my journey, hopes, and goals, hopefully do a little quilting and hiking, and to sit by our beloved fire pit at day's end, dreaming together about the coming year.
Of course, our first prayers light on the health of our family members.
Praying and dreaming seem like somewhat different categories in my mind only because the importance of health far outweighs personal goals. In the end, it's all one and the same. But I have my categories… they work for me.
Once I have prioritized my prayers, I enjoy creating a game plan for the new year. Not resolutions… I left them behind long ago, likely because of the definition of the word resolution:
A firm decision to do or not to do something.
Yikes…
Instead, I have adopted the word intentions:
A thing intended, an aim or plan.
I don't know about you, but I just like the sound of intention better. It's forgiving, understanding, and supportive all at the same time. It doesn't mean I won't work as hard, but it does mean that I won't judge myself harshly if I don't reach my goals.
Life continues to move ever more swiftly, leaving little room for wasteful energies; and self-deprecation is nothing if not a wasteful use of my time.
I came across this post recently by
1. It spoke to me. I'm sharing a portion of it with you. I will link the entire post below in the footnotes.I'm adopting this intention for the coming year… I hope to walk softly in all ways.
There's another way that I've come to understand Phil's advice. All the guides that I've traveled with have had a gift for walking lightly in the mountains. They've all been meticulous about leaving no trace - cleaning up, hauling out trash, filling in holes where they could, using renewable resources. Regardless of their varied political ideologies, they seemed to be unified in respect for the weather, intent on packing just what was needed, and full of appreciation for the beauty of this earth. So I hope you won't be irritated with me for passing on Phil's advice, "Walk lightly."
Also, I’ve got some exciting projects that will be landing in your inbox in 2024, the first of which is an interview I did with
about her book Forever Five, Adventures of The Ladybug Hunter. The story chronicles the passing of her five-year-old daughter. While the subject matter is heartbreaking, the lessons Patricia passes along are anything but sad. They embody hope and resilience, healing, and wisdom. Stay tuned!In closing, no buttons or requests exist to join, upgrade, or share my post. Instead, thank you. If no one was reading my words, what would be the point? Substack may add prompts to subscribe that I’m not aware of. Relax and ignore.
In the spirit of a prayer that I love…
Enjoy your holidays… slow enough to enjoy those holidays… slow enough to enjoy not only your holidays, but time alone… slow enough to enjoy… slow enough
Make this a holiday to remember in any way possible, whether large or small.
Have a lovely break, Sue - and see you next year!
Lovely post. Thank you. x
I love “… I hope to walk softly in all ways.” Enjoy your break. I think prayers and dreams are largely the same. I dream about what I want to happen. I imagine my family members healthy and able to take care of themselves with whatever comes their way. I imagine the same for myself. It’s a prayer. It’s dreaming. The Shaman say we dreamed the world into existence. I hope it’s true. I’m not quite sure how it works.