My new year started after a good night’s sleep, then waking up naturally at 4:30 am. Lighting candles in my room, having a cup of coffee called gratitude, a good start to the day. Writing in my journal – first reflecting on the things that happened in 2024, especially those that I was not expecting! then thinking about what could happen in 2025. I did some reading about taking care of myself and about increasing creativity, then I wrote in my new expressive word journal using watercolor pencils. I meditated for a bit then got out my Goddess oracle deck and pulled out cards for past, present and future. For my past I had Seshat, which is about intellect and includes the written word and journaling and math – definitely relevant to my past. For the present, I pulled Amara Omni, which is about self-healing, being in water and taking care of myself – I like this and I have been making more efforts to take care of myself. For the future I got Vesta, which is home and comfort and creating a place that was welcoming for myself and others. Not what I was expecting (not that it was really expecting anything in particular, but this was definitely not on my mind), so it will be interesting to see if this becomes relevant to me this year.
After my morning walk I spent a couple of hours in front of fireplace working on my intentions for 2025. I just let myself go with no expectations of how it would be and I ended up really enjoying the process. This is different from what I have done in the past and I liked it. It was thoughtful, but not arduous to do. Somehow intentions seem less daunting and stressful than resolutions. I haven’t really been big on resolutions anyway, but I do like the idea of setting intentions. Someone had mentioned how they did that and then checked in every quarter to see if their intentions were still relevant and important to them. I like this idea and I think I might do that.
After breakfast, I headed to Fairfax for a hike up to a labyrinth that I had just learned about. It was a pretty steady up, reminded me of hiking on Mount Diablo, but it was only a mile and well worth it. The labyrinth was wonderful, and the views were incredible – Mount Tam, San Francisco, the East Bay. And of course, everything was so green from the rains. It was a fantastic start to the new year.
Later I did some collage work and then Mom and I played Quirkle – a game I had played before, but she never had. It was fun to do that with her, it’s been a long time since I’ve played a game with my mom.
The omen that came to me on my morning walk was to remember to look up. I had spent much of the walk just looking around at the trees, houses and other things and hadn’t really been paying much attention to the sky. I saw some pink out of the corner of my eye, walked up an incline and all the sudden I had a view of an absolutely gorgeous dawn sky with clouds streaking the sky pink and purple, it was glorious. And a really good reminder to look up.
December memories as this year winds down – morning hiking on the Miwok trail, decorating the Christmas tree, checking out Christmas lights in different neighborhoods. Looking after Rosco in San Rafael, such a sweet dog. Going to the Golden Girls Christmas show with Lisa, Lori, Chrissy and Lisa’s friend- hearing the woman who performed the theme song sing it live. The kids Christmas party at work and all the wonderful donations from the community. JNE meeting in LA – white elephant gift swap. Looking through my gratitude journals going back over 20 years – I am so glad I’ve held onto them, what a wonderful record of positive things in my life. Taking Emmy to Sing Along Messiah, Tamara de Lempicka exhibit at the deYoung, Mary Cassatt exhibit at the Legion of Honor, hiking to the bunkers above Rodeo Beach, collaging time, Christmas with the family – wearing wigs! Hike at Tennessee Valley and stomping in puddles with Heather, late Christmas celebration at Emmy’s with Mom, Kieran and Kourtney. Peaceful New Year’s Eve hike in Pt Reyes with Heather. Getting most of the onboarding of the new ED done. Time to contemplate the year that’s gone by and wonder what will be ahead.
