Where did the year disappear to? Am I the only one who is surprised that we are in December already? Anyway, it’s been a while since I’ve been here. Instead of lamenting the passing of another turbulent year, I’d rather express gratitude for personal growth, relationships, and positive experiences.
One benefit of keeping a gratitude journal is shifting our focus from unfulfilled goals to counting our blessings. As I look back on the year, I’d like to share the three most rewarding and educational collaborations and creative projects I’m proud of:
1. Contributing to and Editing a Magazine
It all started with a YES by Mona Soorma, when I queried my hybrid piece, Learning to be Rigorous with Compassion, for her newly found magazine LIT eZine. Before I knew it, I was behind-the-scenes reading and editing submissions by talented writers. This endeavour was humbling and I learned so much from. It has also brought me so much joy.
Check out some of my contributions or book reviews for We Are Poetry by Kim Gordon Moore and In Search of a Salve by KE Garland.
2. Writing in Collaboration
Project Finding Beauty was born out of a fervent yearning to seek the silver lining in an increasingly gloomy world. And letters or epistles to a friend became the medium, as my writer friend and collaborator, KC Redding-Gonzalez, was open to experimenting with this style of writing.
However, we quickly realised that we can’t rush this process as we delve into our deepest emotions. Overall, it’s been one of the profound ways of using art (our writing) to heal.
Check out Gratitude: A Work in Progress, KC’s recent personal essay and moving take on gratitude!
3. A Meaningful Gathering
To Live Again: It’s OK to Experience JOY was the name of the gathering. It was not a collaboration. But a gathering my husband and I organised for loved ones in Johannesburg, this past November.
The focus was on nourishing body, mind, and soul, after years away from my birth country. Coming together to share our anxieties, ways to find joy again and being in each other’s presence was incredibly healing. And of course, poetry and music took centre stage. 🙂
There are so many takeaways and moments of joy from this experience. But if I had to sing my gratitude, I’d give praise to friendships.
I hope to revisit the subject or at least the behind-the-scenes via the newsletter.
On Intentions for the New Year
On intentions for the new year, I remain open. As the quote states, “The ending of a year is like closing a window. Even though it is shut, fresh light will still shine through.”
Now, I’ll leave you to ponder a moment or moments that brought you joy this year, and how you can continue to create your own joy in 2024. Because one thing is clear, the earth won’t stop spinning. So, it’s up to us to anchor ourselves to something that sustains and keeps us alive.
So, this is my last post for the year. Of course, my deepest gratitude goes to you my dear reader for sticking around and reading my haphazard insignificant jottings. If it were not for you, I’ll be talking to myself. 🙂
Thank You & Happy Holidays! Hope to see you in the New Year… ♥♥♥
PS. Though I won’t be posting any new content, I’ll continue to read and catch up on your blog postings. Please do share your moments of joy!
