It’s my 17th year of being a mother.
It’s my 20th year of being a wife.
It’s my 47th year of being alive.
Of being human, of dreaming dreams, of hoping hopes, and just plain livin’ life on this God-given beautiful Earth.
A new year means ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. Everything is possible. It is. It is!
A new year means any regrets from last year can be redeemed this year.
A new year means that a bad previous year is over and done with.
A new year means YES to some things and to some people. What?!? Figure that out.
A new year can also mean NO to some things and some people. (We must figure this one out.)
I love the anticipation and hopeful promise that a new year holds. I get a little giddy inside sometimes. It’s like fabulous dance music playing in the background so subtly but it just kinda makes you want to move and groove.
WHAT is it that you are longing to do? What makes you feel alive? Will you give yourself over to that?
What burdens your heart and begs you to listen?
What do you feel called to do? For your own self-care, OR in terms of reaching outward to others in need?
What are you dreaming and scheming about?
Is this the year you get up and DO SOMETHING? Is this the year I get up and DO SOMETHING?
All these questions. Questions are good. Necessary. We must stop and ask hard questions. Questions lead to pondering and evaluating and analyzing. BUT DON’T GET STUCK THERE. A ship cannot be directed if it’s not moving, so don’t get stuck in the evaluation stage.
Remember back in high school, freshman year, when you went to your school gym for dances? It was a little terrifying and exciting all at the same time. You went with your friends. Dressed just so. Hoping to catch someone’s eye. The music is blaring. You hang all cool with your crew. Or hide in the corner, whispering, but hoping, and waiting. Nothing happens. You go home devastated, vowing never to go again.
Next school dance comes along, and this time you are dragged there. Still scared, still hoping, still trying to look your best. You wait by the streamer and balloon decorated wall. Then…your brave friend says, “Get out there! We are going to dance without any boys! Go!” And you all run out to the very, very middle, to be swallowed up by the rest of the sweaty, insecure teenagers. And you dance your ass off and laugh and ignore everyone and everything. You feel so good as if the music is inside your body. Inside your soul. You vow to NEVER sit by and watch others dance.
Dance, my friends! Don’t Hold the Wall!
This is YOUR year. The year of _____!! (insert your name.) Not in a narcissistic way, people. 🙂
In a “this is the year I do something, I dream, I dance in the middle and not care who’s watching year” sort of way. This is the year I use all my guts and courage and and prayers and say screw fear and go forward. Even if I fall. Even if I fail. Even if I am disappointed. I will choose to focus on the journey, the learning and the growth as opposed to the OUTCOME.
“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.
Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re Doing Something.
So that’s my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody’s ever made before. Don’t freeze, don’t stop, don’t worry that it isn’t good enough, or it isn’t perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.”
― Neil Gaiman
Yearning, longing, dreaming moves us from complacency into action. Take that first step. Choose to step, determine to step, despite everything or everyone that is telling you to stop.
Let’s do it together. Because if you know I’m over here in my corner afraid and nervous, too, but making baby steps and shining little lights, then maybe over there in your corner you, too, can feel brave to take baby steps, and shine your lights. We can be brave because we are together. Connected. We are not alone. Just like in the middle of that dance floor.
So dance, loved ones, dance. Now is your chance.
Lora says
Love this whole piece and the quotation you used. Shared that same one the other day on FB and several years ago, too, because it’s so powerful. 😍 But I especially love the dance analogy. What a clear and hit-the-spot way to address this new year and address moving forward. I soooo relate. I look forward to dancing with you this year my friend. In the rain. In the sun. Gimpy. Healthy. Bold. Afraid. And right there in the flipping middle, batsh*t crazy dancing. 😜💃😍❣️
Lynn Lavezzari says
Even at almost 60 I still need help learning to dance and be ok with making mistakes. I’d love to do this together!
Adrienne Graves says
Yes, friend! Beautiful! Thanks for this…I plan on joining you on the dance floor! xoxox
Rory says
Love this New Year’s Pep-talk. Just what I needed!
jessica.patay@gmail.com says
Me too! Lets make it a GREAT year Rory!
James Klein says
A great inspiration to let go of the walls we create that limit ourselves — and to live more fully and fearlessly!
jessica.patay@gmail.com says
YES James! Yes! Thanks for reading!
Rachel Courtney says
Thank you! I love this so much! I really do need to learn to dance and to be okay with making mistakes, these are two of my biggest goals this year.
jessica.patay@gmail.com says
Me too! As a recovering perfectionist, I need to say screw the possibilities of mistakes or failure and GO FOR IT. Go for lots of things!
Paria says
I plan to come out of hiding… be vulnerable… and yes, make a whole lot of mistakes…. looking forward to seeing what mistakes you make!!
jessica.patay@gmail.com says
Lets do it together Paria! #wearebravetogether
Thanks for reading my friend!
Liz says
I’m turning the music up and getting ready to dance… come on over my sweet Jess!
jessica.patay@gmail.com says
I’m on my way Liz!!!! Turn it up loud!!!!