” 525,600 minutes, 525,000 moments so dear.
\n525,600 minutes – how do you measure, measure a year?
\nIn daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee.
\nIn inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife.
\nIn 525,600 minutes – how do you measure a year in the life?
\nHow about love? How about love? How about love? Measure in love.
\nSeasons of love.”
\n(From the Broadway musical, “Rent” ~\u00a0Jonathan Larson)<\/p>\n
One of my favourite routines is rising early on weekends. With my weekday alarm generally set for 4:am, it’s nice on the weekend to sometimes sleep in until 6: or 7:, and then sit quietly in the living room sipping coffee, playing a couple of morning puzzles and scrolling for the latest news. Last Saturday was New Year’s Eve and as I savoured my java with the holiday add of a little Baileys, I found myself looking through some Facebook Memories.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve shared a lot of hopes and dreams in recent New Year’s Eve posts. There\u2019s been a lot of gratitude for friends and family and for a pretty great life \u2026 There\u2019s also been an underlying theme of longing \u2026 longing for something more \u2026 longing for home maybe.<\/p>\n
2022 was a big year for me. After 2 years of \u201cpandemic life\u201d the slow return to a more normal pace was, well \u2026 educational to say the least. I\u2019ve learned a new appreciation for using the word \u201cno” more often and rationing my yeses for the people and things that are important to me. I have a new found appreciation and bigger love for my family and friends.<\/p>\n
I developed a bit of an addiction to historical fiction in 2022, which I rarely consumed without Wikipedia open. It would often take me twice as long to get through the story because I was curious to research the people, places and events for truths and context. What I learned from that, is that there have always been fear driven tyrants, unethical politicians and myopic haters of decency on our planet.<\/p>\n
With the over-availability of news (fake and otherwise) I have experienced some periods of hopelessness with current events but realized this past year that I can\u2019t let those hopeless thoughts paralyze me. I still believe there is more good than bad in the world and that the only way forward is for you and I to keep trying to do some good each day. We all have a tiny bit of light we can offer and if we all turn our lights on, the darkness doesn\u2019t stand a chance. An idealistic or corny thought perhaps but that doesn’t make it any less true.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve known for years, but I finally feel ready to embrace \u201ctime\u201d as the most precious commodity I will ever own and the only true longing I have these days is to use my time well. Even if that means doing nothing some days.<\/p>\n
As the new year begins, my hope is that I will use the next 525,600 minutes to shine my light a little more, to say yes to all the love I have in my life and to rest more in a wonderful human who is the home I\u2019ve longed for. #MyPerson We have many adventures planned for 2023 that we\u2019re ridiculously excited for.<\/p>\n
Wishing so much for you: peace, hope, love, a little adventure and a light that shines. Happy 2023.<\/p>\n
#NewYears2023
\n#525600Minutes<\/p>\n
Images this week are a retrospective carousel of some favourite shots from 2022, by month.<\/p>\n
[gallery ids=”9710,9711,9712,9713,9714,9715,9716,9717,9718,9719,9720,9721″]<\/p>\n
\u201cMay your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art — write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.\u201d ~ Neil Gaiman<\/p>\n