Here, In 2020

That a simple turn of a calendar page can give you the feeling of a fresh start, that a new year does, indeed, feel new, is a particular wonder. It invites us to think hopefully, to be inspired, to write things down. It also gives us permission to simply hold steady, to carry on.

For me, it’s some of all that. Over the past couple weeks, I’ve taken long stretches with my notebook, pencil, and cups of tea. In open afternoons, I’ve dived into cupboards and closets, purging, cleaning, and resetting, putting into practice plans that I’ve had waiting in the wings for months. I’ve had new ideas. Some things I’ve needed to let go.

This year, our second son will graduate, he’ll leave home soon after for his summer job, and leave at the end of that for college. There’ll be a wedding to attend in June, and another in August. I’ll run the first 30k race of my life. These are the things already penciled into 2020’s calendar. The rest will be filled in as we go, as we fall in step with life, bringing our dreams and goals along with us. Written invisibly on those calendar squares will most surely be challenges and triumphs, happiness and heartache, wins and losses, as well (this is life after all).

Looping around and interlinking everything will be mindfulness, simplicity, stewardship, and courage. These are not resolutions or hard-line directives (thank goodness), but gentle reminders ever guiding me back to my why.

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And now, I’m excited to finally say that new things have been in the works behind the scenes, here, for quite some time. First up will be a new website design! As the construction crew (me, wearing multiple hats) pulls out their tools and gets to work on installation, I’ll have virtually brown-papered the windows and pasted a Coming Soon sign to the front door of carmellarayone.com, should you visit and wish to get in. Hang tight, loves. The site will reopen the first Monday in February. Until then, you can always find me on Instagram.

Enjoy your January

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