
Normally my mood would have been set back in December knowing the New Year was looming. Historically January has been a difficult month for me as it represented family loss, illness and personal heartache. This year however things will be different. I decided at least a month ago that changes had to be made in my life and I took a leap of faith. By mid-December, and with the encouragement of my family and friends, I was completely focused on the changes and determined to stick to the plan, doing my best to go in the direction I needed without hurting another.
This New Year’s Eve, for the first time in many years, I actually celebrated instead of staying home and decrying a celebration as something that never applied to me. Why welcome a miserable month? So with much joy I released the past like a snake shedding its skin. I’ll be honest, it was not easy, and there were definitely some bumps in the road to test my resilience, but I am on track.
Challenges face us all the time. Sometimes they are in disguise and we don’t immediately recognize them and before we realize it, they have consumed us. There comes a point where we have to look them straight in the eye and decide if we are going to be conquered or fight back.
Stay strong, make your resolutions and stick to them. Happy January and a happy and healthy New Year!
Don't ever look back For it will slow your progress Your choice has been made Copyright © 2023 Christine Bolton - Poetry for Healing All Rights Reserved Kim, from Writing in North Norfolk is the host for D'Verse Poets Monday Haibun. She has asked us to share our thoughts on this New Year. Photo by Adonyi Gábor on Unsplash
Good for you! Cheers to a new year ahead! Happy New Year!!!
Thanks Grace! Happy New Year to you too ☺️
We have to face the right challenges, but avoid the windmills.
Ah yes, those windmills 😧
Letting go can be very difficult. You are free now to journey forward.
Yes! I feel like I have been released ☺️💕
This is incredibly heartfelt! Yes, the choice has been made. We shan’t look back now. Here’s hoping 2023 is kind to us! ❤️❤️
Indeed Sanaa. Happy and Kind New Year to all of us ☺️❤️🌺
I Loved this post Christine!! So powerful and impactful to make decisions for change, improvement and moving forward, none of which is easy to do!! Looking forward to the positive changes this will bring to you, My Dear! Happy New Year!!!
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Thank you Chuck. Wishing you all the best too for 2023. Warm wishes ☺️❤️🌺
And wishing you the very best 2023 too, My Dear!!
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An optimistic haibun to start the New Year. I’m so glad to see that things are looking up for you, Christine. I agree about disguised challenges – we have to meet them head on. Happy New Year!
Thanks Kim. Yes, I am making changes and not letting January control me anymore! 😳 Happy New Year and so happy to have you back at D’Verse ☺️💕
Thank you Christine, and Happy New Year!
A great message to keep in mind for the new year: message of taking control of one’s life and making positive changes. Happy New Year!
Thanks M Jay. Happy New Year to you too ☺️💕
All the best my dear friend.
Thanks dear Sadje ☺️💕
You’re most welcome
I like this forward thinking message. Happy New Year to you!
Wise words. I especially like the last paragraph of prose – the reminder of how a challenge can easily consume us. We must become larger than the obstacles in our path. Happy New Year!
Thank you Mish! Yes, Happy New Year to you too ☺️