The first Monday

[tweetthis] of a new year is a great time to take a look back at the last year, pause, and look froward to what the New Year brings.[/tweetthis].  It’s been a rollercoaster back-end of 2016, with the Cubs World Series win almost obliterated by a political season that left be bewildered and bothered.

I’m blessed to be in a family where discourse is the common course, and disagreement opens minds, instead of fostering hate.

I had a great time watching the Cubs win, and sharing the victory with Mom, while hanging on the phone with Loved-One.  Technology can be so wonderful.  Yes, phones and TVs are old technology.  Still, I can remember when a long-distance call was for serious matters, and we listened to ball games on the radio (My science class gave up studying to listen to the Tigers, back in 7th grade.) Plus, I met a new Cleveland friend through a friendly wager.  Can’t wait to claim my tour of Cleveland winnings from Jena.)

A Ship of Pearl and The Fable of Little Tzurie are published and getting great reviews, and at the same time, helping the hungry and the homeless.

I made new friends through my Clown Car Geniuses, IWOC, and CWC.  All who help me grow, keep me grounded, and fill me with optimism.  I hope I do the same for them.

A new part-time job fell in my lap by just asking if I could help.  It may be temporary, and it may be more.  Time will tell.  In the meantime, I like this comment, “You bring a peacefulness to the office.

I have an incredibly healthy, intelligent, and for the most part, happy family.  I feel like their love provides a marvelous safety net and allows me to risk, to fail, and to try new things, because no matter what, I have people who will be there to pick me up, dust me off, and get me going again.

So now what?

Here’s what I have planned for 2017 as a writer:

Travel Route 66 with Love-One: I hope to find some sponsors, blog about the trip, and stop at independent book stores along the way for book signings.

Get A Ship of Pearl, book two and a second Fable and to my editor.  I’d like to say, get it published, but I seek reasonableness.  It took me a long time to get the first books published.

Partner with a minimum of three organizations for fundraisers:  I’m hoping for Habitat for Humanity, the Food Bank and perhaps Empowerment Plan.

 

On a more personal journey, I hope to:

Seek first to understand. I hear and feel a great deal of dissatisfaction and hate in the world, and in our country, right now.  I’d like to better understand the what, where, why, and who of it all.

Approach each day with love in my heart:  Family, friends, strangers, and especially those with whom I disagree.

Be ready for action:  Only by doing the first two, will I be ready for the third.

Remember my mantra: Simplicity is the Pathway to Peace.

Of course there’s a whole lot of other things that I want to do, there always is.  My hope is that if I focus on these 8 things, I’ll move myself in a positive direction, without derailing anyone along the way.

[tweetthis]Do you have resolution or goals for 2017?[/tweetthis]  I’d love to know what you’re planning for 2017.