New Year – Welcome 2024!!

Recently, I discovered the DJ feature on Spotify. Driving home, “my A.I. DJ” played some Counting Crows – in particular, “Raining in Baltimore”. Adam’s poetry is powerful, and his ability to create such strong feelings is incredible. (On my 24 for 24 list is to see The Counting Crows – I am a massive fan yet a band I have never seen live.) I am moved by the power and passion of songs, and the incredible talent these artists convey with such feelings and images.

This blog is about 4 artists that I think are amazing singer-songwriters. Sadly, Hayes and James (along with Ray Wylie Hubbard) cancelled their Nov. 13 Texas Trio show in Van. All of these songs have an element of yearning, pining, just being, and moving on. You can learn from the past, but that is it. You cannot revisit it, so you have to focus on the present and envision the future.

Sometimes we use expressions –
Wish I could…
I have always wanted to…
Would if I could…
Should do that…
Want to but…

These phrases and other variants of the same sentiment are not helpful. Why? Is it procrastination? The balance between leaping and waiting – what is it? Fear? Limiting belief? Lack of certainty about what you really want. I recommend eliminating wish, should, could, and would from your vocabulary and just following your heart and taking steps now.

Margaret Brown (aka Molly Brown) was an incredible historical figure from the turn of the 19th century. At a time when women could not vote, had no rights, and were expected to behave by some very restrictive societal norms – she lived an incredible life. When I have moments of thinking that I cannot do something, a limiting belief, or have a feeling that the ship has sailed – I am reminded of her grit, passion and how she just did it!

January is my birthday month – I have always dreamed of living in a floating home. I fell into the yearning, talking about it, and thinking about it for years. This year, I took action and rented a floating home with friends for my birthday weekend. It was more than I could have asked for – it fulfilled all my expectations and has helped me develop clarity on what I want. Now in 2024, I WILL develop the plan and MAKE THIS HAPPEN!!!

The husband of an old friend passed away, a father of a high school friend passed away, and of course, another year of my life passing – life is fleeting. The way you spend your life broken down into minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and years matters. James McMurtry – Damn short movie… I don’t know what the year ahead has in store for me; I think it will be a balance between being open to the zigs and zags that may occur and taking action to make my hopes and dreams come true.

It is a brand-new year – full of possibilities. Take advantage of all it has to offer. Follow your passion, your gut, and your own unique journey.

A good friend reminded me of a quote (who also got me the Hustle journal which I use as my actions list) which I have printed out and put on my bulletin board: