Today is the last day of 2020. I wonder what tonight will bring. Instead of fireworks, will we hear the sound of a collective sigh?

My message at the beginning of 2020 was Choose Joy. What a challenge it would become. But whenever I did choose joy, life became so much easier to bear. This fine year has brought many losses to me and those I care about. Too many to count. If I tried, I’d truly become depressed.

I’m a romantic with an optimistic nature. I tend to look for the good in whatever is happening. There are times when that becomes…difficult. But today, I choose joy. And I choose to count my blessings. I’ll be counting for a while…

Now I can turn the page. My phrase for 2021 is:

I love this.

If I have learned something well, I can then recreate it. For instance, when I find a favorite recipe, I continue to follow the directions until I have it memorized and can create it on my own, without using the recipe.

That will be my goal. To take what I have learned this past year and share it. As an artist, I love to create. I don’t draw or paint (well), but I love to create stories. The possibility of creating a sense of joy in my writing inspires me!

And I hope this simple message will inspire you, too.

Happy New Year!

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

Psalm 98:4 ESV