A New Year

For 18 years I have written a newsletter/blog/dharma essay every single month without any exceptions. Sometimes it was like squeezing a stone to get water-those ended up being some of the best pieces. Sometimes the writing flowed, I could hardly contain my enthusiasm. Sometimes the essay came out in one beautiful take and sometimes it took a whole month to edit the piece past an ugly awkward stage. It has been quite a discipline and I followed through regardless of inspiration or lack of inspiration, regardless of heartache or joy, sickness or health. The intent behind each essay was to provide inspiration, hope, and share the bits of wisdom that came across my path.

Some of you have been with me for the full 18 years, some of you are new to this offering, and everything in between. I so appreciate your presence in my life and want to take this opportunity, on the turning of this new year, to wish you joy in knowing how important you are to this world, how purposeful your precious life is, how valuable your innate goodness is. Some of you have been kind enough to write to me over the years. Thank you for helping sustain my efforts through your words.

This coming year I’m going to experiment with approaching offerings from a new perspective, writing now and them and focusing on other forms. I’m painting every day now and going down a creativity rabbit hole from which I will pop my head up and report from time to time. Everything seems to be inspiring visual thought-mycelium, plants, fire and wind. I have a number of projects calling me, like botanical illustration of the plants in my back yard. I’ll be checking in from time to time and continue to offer workshops. I hope to spend some real time with each of you in this new year.

I know it is a challenging time and sometimes we may feel too small to do anything significant about all the problems we meet. I hope you bring a bit of kindness and sanity into a world that is sorely in need of these qualities. Even just a simple smile at the check- out person at the grocery store. These things reverberate.  And, I hope you find joy in self-expression and in the company other others who support and love you.