THE YEAR THAT WAS and the year that will be…

Another new year around the corner…

Sometimes, it seems the year has flashed by in an instant. At others, even a moment seems neverending. However, another 365 days of life gone by, and the thought of a new year does make me ponder upon what has been achieved. Life is a rather difficult balancing act, and I often wonder if contentment is the aim, or does contentment breed lethargy and slows down progress. To be honest, my answer to that would be different on different days. It all depends on the mood, and the mood is a writer’s prerogative. After all, if we don’t give ourselves up to the feelings of the moment, where are the words going to come from?

Each year has its rough moments, but I would say, in retrospect, that this year has seen more smiles than tears, and I am grateful. I have lost some loved ones, whose absence will always be felt, and I have gained many new friends who are like stars in my brightly lit sky. To all of you who have touched my life in any way, my heartfelt thanks for being here and walking along with me. You are loved and needed!

As a writer, this year has been one of accomplishment. My writer’s life was coasting along at a happy, comfortable pace when suddenly, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and go for my dreams. What triggered it? I really don’t know. One day, I just looked at a book and thought, why not me? What do I have to lose? And I ended up publishing four books, and a fifth due to be released next month. My long-time dream of having my own author’s page and my quotes published on Goodreads came true. I revamped my website, added a poetry review page, launched my YouTube channel, and embarked on my journey around the world with a poem. Not bad. Not bad at all!

As I have said before, it could never have been done without the support of my family and friends, and most of all my readers, without whom, a writer is nothing. To each one of you, a big “Thank You For Building Me Up!”

However, the end of the year is more about introspection and charting new paths to be traversed, than about counting the successful moments. So I am getting my mental to-do list ready, which includes spending more time on my website, redoing my photography blog, finishing a book that has been left waiting for too long, and perhaps, venturing into a new genre.

My New Year’s resolution…no points for guessing that one 😉 What would a poet want to do more than writing more poetry! And find more time for reading. And get some more interesting exercises into my routine. And curb my sweet tooth. And ask God for a few extra hours in a day! Please God, are you listening to this one? I really, really need that.

Sigh.

Who says all wishes are meant to be fulfilled! So I plod on, trying to do more than I can because I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep…

And before I go, well, how can I go without a poem! So here is one for the new year. I hope you will enjoy it. Do share with me your thoughts, your achievements, your resolutions, or just stop by for a chat.

Many blessings and my best wishes for a successful and happy year ahead.