“Tonight’s the night the world begins again…” so said wise sages The Goo Goo Dolls, but it fits. It is New Year’s Eve 2014 and we are about to ring in 2015 with champagne, wine, craft brews, Moscow Mules, Smart water, or juice boxes (or all of the above).
You may be wearing glitter. OR you may be wearing UGGs and pajamas happily like me.
Whatever your costume of choice is tonight, the reality is we say goodbye to a year filled with experiences, memories, laughs & giggles, cries & sobs, breakdowns, breakups, transformations, and revelations.
Some of you absolutely LOVED 2014 and some of you are kicking it in the arse and saying goodbye and good riddance.
Wherever you fall on this spectrum, the truth is, we begin again.
Possibilities abound.
Hope is fresh. Hope is powerful. Your hope. God’s hope for you, and your future.
Dreams can be ignited.
Why not? Why not now?
You have no idea what is ahead but you may have ideas of what you DON’T want to repeat again this year:
Living in fear.
Living for people’s approval.
Listening to negative self-talk.
Listening to certain others’ negative talk.
Listening to shame.
Allowing superficiality and mediocrity.
Caring too much what other people think.
Caring too much about the wrong things that you might think.
Allowing fear to stop you from ______ (you fill in that blank. I know what mine is…)
Let’s begin again. Together. Let’s move forward with courage and strength and crazy hope that a new year can mean a better, richer, deeper, more fulfilling year.
More simplicity.
More slowing down—by intentional choices to say no or not yet.
More rest. More soul-care.
More grace. More freedom.
More honesty and vulnerability. And therefore more connection.
Let us give of ourselves, not to the point of exhaustion and meltdowns, but finding the priceless balance of it all.
Let us be grateful. But not in the look-at-me-gratitude sort of way. In a humble quiet way. Silent kindnesses and stealth generosity. THAT sort of way.
Let us be inspired and inspire others.
Let us spark one another and be the light for each other.
Let us be FOR EACH OTHER. Without judgment. Without comparison. Without competition.
WITH each other. Side by side. Kindly. Gently. Speaking truths, with full hearts, ready to love and to empathize, and to cheer on.
Let us rise up, show up and reach out.
I look forward to sharing MY 2015 with you.
xo Jessica
Jason Hague says
Hi, Jessica. I’m late to this here party, but wow, this is just lovely… All of it. It’s only February, but I want to begin again too. With more simplicity and soul-care. Beautiful.
I just stumbled across your blog. I’m an autism dad, pastor, and blogger, so any time I run across a fellow special needs parent who’s blogging, I get excited about it. Thank you for doing it 🙂
Dana says
Well, over a week later, I am finally sitting down and “intentionally” reading your post. I love your optimism, hope and support, Jess. With the support of friends like you, 2015 will most definitely be a beautiful year!!
Lorraine Tom says
Thanks for reminding us to begin again, Jessica. My word for this year is INTENTIONAL…and I saw that word in the post. To begin again with intention – that’s what’s on my mind right now. xoxoxo
jessica.patay@gmail.com says
Thanks Lorrie–That is Chris’ word for this year too!
Lora says
So beautifully and raw-ly put. Heartfelt and hits the spot. Happy New Year my beautifully -hearted friend!
jessica.patay@gmail.com says
Lora, you are the BIG-HEARTED one! Thank you!
Kristin says
Cheers Jess! So well put. I’m going to tuck this away in my back pocket and hold on to it all year.
jessica.patay@gmail.com says
I will put in my pocket too, Kristin! xo
Jennifer says
Lovely words…feeling hopeful for 2015!
Katie says
Beautiful!
Liz says
Jess I’m so proud of you and what you have done this year with your writing…. You have said what I think though much more eloquently. Thank you for your honesty, courage and guidance. I look forward to 2015 and all it brings XO