This meme came across my personal Facebook feed on the morning of December 1^st. It summed up so much of what I was thinking about at that moment, both through the words and the concept of the art.  I was reading a book written by a friend and had just encountered the story’s plot twist; we were expecting the first snowstorm of the season to start later that afternoon; not only is it December, the last month of 2019, but the last month of the decade (yes, I know, it really is!); I have been working on the outline of my own fantasy novel, and am wondering if I need some sort of twist to deepen the reader engagement. The quote seemed written specifically for me.

So far the most notable change December has offered has been the weather, and the schedule re-arrangements I have begun to make. The last several years snowfall hasn’t begun in earnest until well into January, but this year we have already had over 24”on my little hill. And it’s been cooooollldd already (< 20F most mornings), too cold to walk my dogs before 6 am as I prefer to do. Sleeping in a little and walking after the sun is well up is quite difficult for an early morning person like me, but if nature intended the winter months to be a time of rest and renewal, perhaps  I should be more flexible and embrace that sentiment too. It is going well to this point, I can say, and I plan to continue amending as the New England weather allows.

The first theme, though, is a defining thread of 2019 for me, and beyond; it applies no matter the month. I’ve been cognizant of building toward a major life shift for a while now, so I am very conscious about making decisions that bring me closer to my goals. I now recognize opportunities as I encounter them, keeping my mind and energy open to all of the choices along my path, instead of reacting in the moment and missing something potentially valuable. I think ‘having courage’ is another way to say ‘face your fear of the unknown.’ Knowing that I am in the process of changing careers and building a business is absolutely terrifying, but not facing that fear means not giving myself the opportunity to succeed. And to succeed in this endeavor is what I most desire at this point on my journey.

Back to the opening meme, I see that my goals lie further down the road in the distance, while the foundations of change lie patiently under the blanket of white snow. And I’m okay with that. It’s winter, so I will continue laying the brickwork and doing the quiet work during the restful time. And when the time for action comes, I will be ready because I’ve remained open to it and recognized it for what it is. Here’s to the journey down the snowy path, with all the plot twists along the way. Welcome 2020, let’s get this party started. ~

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