New year, new beginnings

[elise_rasha]

Five days into the new year . . . Welcome to 2016!

I can't say that I'm trying to sculpt a brand new me. I'm not interested in "resolving" to lose weight and be "healthier" . . . those were steps I started to take months and years ago, and they've been ongoing since. Also, quite honestly, that's all on the physical and don't mean much to me. I like better how I've grown spiritually, mentally, intellectually, and emotionally in the last year and a half. I've been on one amazing journey. I'm still me but with a better awareness of who I am, what I can do, what I want and need to do, and where I want to go with my life. For the first time ever, I have more concrete plans on what I want to accomplish and do with myself than what I have in years gone by. I even have a solid idea of where I want to live.

I know over the last year, I've talked about starting a new life. I've moved from Michigan to Washington to Pennsylvania to Oklahoma back to Michigan then back to Oklahoma with the same results always happening. There's at least one more move in store for me, and it's coming up soon. I know some people might be groaning to hear this - I've done so much bouncing around as it is - but Oklahoma was never meant to be permanent. And, after the crappy holiday season, beyond necessary to leave. I'm leaving sooner than I'd like, but some things are just beyond my control. It sounds like I'm complaining, I'm sure, but truly this will be a better blessing in the long run.

 

I am making strides this year that I’ve not done in years prior. Ravensrealm, since I’ve moved, has languished on the sidelines, my exhaustion from working getting the better of me most days. There were some productive writing days but not near enough. With the exception of one day of this new year, I’ve written on the third book in the Arc of Fantasy series every day. Nothing too outstanding but five words here and there is better than none at all, and I’ve at least laid down more than five words. I’ve even added words to a project I plan to query out to a publishing house later in the year. Snow in Olympus and The Twilight of The Gods overall will be seeing some work, too, ideas coming in that weren’t there before, ideas and concepts that need to be dealt with to build on the larger, grander scheme of things. I do need to research into the Greek end of days, if any, for this particular project because I’m currently not recalling anything. However, that doesn’t mean anything at this point.

 

I’m also making it a point to do some reading as well. I’m currently engrossed in three books of both fiction and non-fiction – Northern Mysteries and Magick: Runes and Feminine Powers by Freya Aswynn; The Ramayana by Ramesh Menon, and The Age of Odin by James Lovegrove. I’m digging all three books, The Ramayana written in that old timey style that would have modern critique groups groaning. I have plans to revisit the Harry Potter and Percy Jackson series as well as interest in Rick’s upcoming offering, The Trials of Apollo.

 

I plan to laugh more, to be more thankful for all that I have and all that I have accomplished, and to just love this life that I’ve been given. I haven’t found complete balance in all aspects of my life, but I’m getting there.

 

I will be publishing more books. If there’s anything certain in my life, it is that. I love writing. I get a sense of joy and satisfaction from it unlike anything else. As long as I’m writing and people are enjoying what I’m writing, I’m happy. Granted, I plan to do more with my life than just write, but those plans also need some time to grow and cultivate.

 

Until then, such secrets are for me to ponder and nurture.

 

So, for all of my friends, my fellow writers, may 2016 be wondrous and blessed for you as it will be for me. May your creative endeavors thrive, may you know joy and happiness, and may you know peace. May your life’s journey take you on unexpected paths. The way will not be easy – it never is – but it never is. If there is anything I have learned from reading epics like The Lord of The Rings, it is to never give up. All hope is never lost.