As I was write this from the balcony of the condo where we’re staying in Gulf Shores, Alabama, the new year is just days away. Below us, waves are crashing onto the shore with gusto, and it’s easy to get mesmerized by the motion.
For every wave, there is an action and reaction – the thrust forward and the retreat back to sea. Again, and again, and again. And every time, the forward action creates far more energy than the retreating action.
I am not a great believer in New Year’s resolutions, though I do like to set personal goals – semantics, perhaps. My number one goal for 2017? Just like the waves, I want to be forward bound.
Lately, I feel like I’ve been stuck in a memory warp, and I’m tired of looking back, or retreating. Perhaps it’s been the holidays, maybe it’s because I’ve carved out more thinking time to work on “the book”, or maybe, I think I can control or even manage things that have already happened. Foolish thinking. And this I know – retreating into my memory bank does not create the necessary energy to move forward.
Tomorrow, we head back to Michigan and the reality of daily life begins again after this little holiday respite, and I’m ready for 2017.
I’m ready to replace fear with hope, doubt with faith, conflict with tolerance. I pledge to read more, write often and talk less. I vow to eat fewer hamburgers and and cookies, and more fish and vegetables, and to sit less and move more.
I want to look back with fondness and appreciation, but move forward with action and commitment. None of us knows what the future will bring, but by golly, I’m ready to face it head on. And who knows, maybe my memories have prepared me the best for that.
Mostly, I want to be like the waves that either take some people by surprise and makes them step a bit livelier, or bring soothing relief to others. Regardless, I want to spend more time moving forward than retreating backwards.
Happy New Year, my friends. May the waves of good health, wisdom, tolerance and patience roll into your life this next year.
I think this is one of your best! Excellent. Sums up my stage of life exactly. Thank you.
Thank you! That’s a tremendous compliment and responses like this make me want to keep writing. Forward bound!
Pam, this is a great approach to the new year. Love the waves for moving forward. So much baggage we all carry, isn’t there?
Thank you. Yes, we do carry too much baggage but I’m ready to lighten my load and move forward. Happy New Year!
I’ll take some nice gentle waves, thank you — I’ve had enough Tsunamis for a while! Have a terrific year Pam!
Tsumanis – a great analogy as well. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. Happy New Year to you as well, and hoping for gentler waves.
Moving forward is a wonderful goal, which we should all aspire to. Thanks for pointing it out.
Thanks Gail, for taking the time to read and comment. I’m doing my best to stay positive.
Thanks for the well written piece. I agree, this is one of your best. I am moving forward with some great family happenings and a new organization to work with. But darn, some of those outgoing waves still can have a powerful pull. I’ll work on it.
Moving forward is the key to life. It sounds like you’re on the right path as well. I’m happy for you! Keep ignoring the waves that are pulling you down. Thanks so much for your feedback, always.
Move forward with gusto and let the negative recede back to sea!!!
Gusto it is! Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. Happy New Year.
We are ready for some waves! And yes like you some can be active and some soothing. Thanks for your post, Happy New Year and safe travel home!
Thanks always, for reading and your comment. Let’s just make sure we don’t get caught up in the undercurrent those waves can create.
At the edge of and in the ocean are someof my favorite places to be, so I really appreciate this piece. Your imagery and thoughtful approach to the new year are both outstanding. I’m with you, forward we go, looking back only long enough to remember the lessons learned and sweet friends we’ve known.
Exactly! Thanks for the read and the taking the time to comment. Here’s to 2017!