The Year of New

Following a year of change (mostly external and much unpleasant), I chose that 2023 would be a year of NEW! New things and experiences that I would have control over, that would be intentionally chosen, that would stretch me beyond my comfort zone.

They did! Some were big, some small; some I will (and have!) repeated, others won’t happen again. All, however, gave me the chance to breach existing patterns, and to be open to the possibility of new joy. In most, they involved sharing time with people I care about (and who care about me); there was laughter, there was prayer, there was adventure.

Doing new things allows us to explore avenues that we just haven’t traversed before: our curiosities are awakened, our vulnerability exposed, our courage evident. It’s fun, in middle-age, to consider new opportunities to find joy – often making those explorations with the eagerness of a child.
It was a fun year! A lot happened. Here’s some highlights:

January: New Year’s Day Polar Dip in the Atlantic Ocean. Bloody cold, but we laughed our way to warmth!! I’m glad I did it, but I’m not likely to do it again.
February: I tried a new craft – origami. I’m not good at it! But the experience gave me pause to reflect on those who create thousands of cranes – what a practice of patience and focus!
March: a season of renewal. I forced open a door that I feared 2022 had shut; and received the miracle of re-invigoration.
April: A new game! At our weekly games night, we played a DnD Pathfinder Quest. A new game, new character, much laughter!
May: I submitted a piece of poetry to a writing contest. It was a piece I’d begun in 2011, and I edited and submitted it. All of my other writings are non-fiction, so this was well outside the box for me. (I wasn’t chosen, but that wasn’t the point!)
June: New engagement with a piece of scripture, thanks to a dear friend, which inspired dramatic positive action. A passage I’ve overlooked before is now inscribed on art in my room, to remember daily.
July: Kayaking on a lake. Really! I’ve canoed lots, but kayaking is very different. (It doesn’t sound like a big deal, but it was a formidable evening, and lots of prayerful reflection came of it.)
August: New culinary experience - Bubble Tea! A new adventure with a friend – oh my goodness the sugar. Yowsers.
September: Wow, so much new… moving across the country to a new house, new church, new adventures. SO. MUCH. JOY.
October: New book genre. I realised my reading pattern had become quite predictable, so I broached into another one (graphic novels). Not my cup of tea – but again, I wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t tried.
November: Ongoing little things as I explore my new neighbourhood… new coffee shops, new dog parks, new local merchants – enjoying the treasures that are found, and feeling comfortable with saying ‘no’ to places that just don’t work for me.
December: Messiah! While I’m an avid music lover and supporter of the arts, the week before Christmas is usually a very busy time – this year I made time to go the Symphony’s presentation of Handel’s Messiah – a time of pause and peace (and edification) for myself before the fun of the season.

I’m looking forward to the fun and adventure of 2024!!