Blank Pages . . .

For a New Beginning . . .  

In out-of-the-way places of the heart, where your thoughts never think to wander,
This beginning has been quietly forming, waiting until you were ready to emerge.

For a long time it has watched your desire, feeling the emptiness growing inside you,
Noticing how you willed yourself on, still unable to leave what you had outgrown.

It watched you play with the seduction of safety and the gray promises that sameness whispered.
Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent.  Wondered would you always live like this.

Then the delight, when your courage kindled and out you stepped onto new ground.
Your eyes young again with energy and dream.  A path of plenitude opening before you.

Though your destination is not yet clear, you can trust the promise of this opening; unfurl yourself
Into the grace of beginning that is at one with your life's desire.

Awaken your spirit to adventure.  Hold nothing back.  Learn to find ease in risk.
Soon you will be home in a new rhythm, for your soul senses the world that awaits you.

Written by John O'Donohue

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I posted this last New Year's Day as well.  It is something that makes me smile when I read it.  Another new year is here.  365 days of blank pages and endless possibilities.  My husband and I have been talking about what our goals are for 2014.  They include taking better care of ourselves and releasing what holds us back and blocks us from the abundance that the Universe wishes to bestow upon us. We're going to make a dream board later today that represents what our hopes and dreams are for ourselves and our family for this year and for our future as well. 

Last year I chose a word to focus on for the year to come.  Admittedly, I forgot what that word was until I just peeked at last year's new year's post.  Surprisingly, I picked the same word for 2014 as I did for 2013.  At least I'm consistent.  : )

That word is ~

Release of "stuff."  Whether it be emotional stuff, physical stuff or stuff laying around the house that is neither useful nor beautiful anymore.  Release of negative thought patterns that keep us stuck in a rut.  In 12-step programs it's known as F.E.A.R.  ~ False Evidence Appearing Real. 

Along with "releasing" I also want to take more time to do things that I haven't done in a long while.  Having a toddler and a new job will do that to you for sure!!  : )  I want to begin to create again.  I used to make cards and loved to do so.  I have so many beautiful papers just sitting in cabinets that are waiting to be used again!!  I want to improve my photography skills as well.  For my birthday last year, my husband gave me the gift of lessons on how to use my camera in more then just a "point and shoot" kind of way.  Lessons that I've yet to use almost one year later.  I feel so inspired by the photos that other bloggers take. I know I can be better then I am with a few lessons.  I want to take the camera off of "auto" more often and start using that "manual" setting!!  : )  I also want to read at least one book this year.  Sad to say but it will be one more then I read in 2013.  : (  I equate reading with sleeping since the only time I have to read is before I go to bed.  Unfortunately, I'm usually so tired when I go to bed that after about the third page I end up reading the same line over and over again until I realize I've been nodding off while reading it.  Oh well.  At least I've tried.  : )  Years ago, I read The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron.  I'm going to dig this out and make that my goal to read.  It's really a wonderful book and I highly recommend it if you're looking to get in touch with your creative side again.

We're getting ready for a big snowstorm here in New York that is supposed to start tomorrow and go into Friday.  I'm like a little kid when it comes to this sort of stuff.  I love the feeling of being in my warm and cozy cottage while the snow is falling outside.  Unfortunately, this also means that I have to make a trip to the grocery store today instead of tomorrow.  Our cupboards are pretty bare and I can't look at another takeout menu!!!  It looks like homemade chicken dumpling soup and hot cocoa in our near future!!!!  I wish you a happy and healthy 2014 with many opportunities to fill your "blank pages" with beautiful and inspirational memories.  If you feel inspired to choose a word for the new year, I'd love to know what it is.  We're all in this thing called life together, after all!!  : )


Many blessings for a beautiful and peaceful 2014 ~ Wendy