“And as we all play parts of tomorrow, some ways we’ll work and other ways we’ll play, but I know we can’t all stay here forever, so I want to write my words on the face of today, and then they’ll paint it”

-Blind Melon, Change

I love change.  Always have.  Big changes, little changes.  Doesn’t matter.  I find it exciting.  Even when the end of something is tinged with sadness, there’s always the prospect of something new.  The unknown can be so exciting and full of possibilities.  Every New Year’s Eve we reflect on the past year.  It is our natural instincts to evaluate, to ruminate on the events and people that colored the 12 months that are winding down to a clink of a glass, a kiss on the lips, a quiet celebration or a jubilant party.

It’s safe to say that the last year had some really tough times for all of us.  Some more than others.  But all of us have struggled with something.  We all share that.  It’s also a sure bet that the coming year will present some new obstacles or challenges.  I don’t think anyone has ever experienced 12 successive months of ease, peace, happiness. No one coasts for a whole year.  But chances are we all had some beautiful moments.  Some of us more than others.  Thankfully the beautiful moments usually outnumber the bad moments.  For this I am grateful.  For this I choose to look back on the last year as a success.  We all should.  We’re all here, and that in itself is a triumph.

Most of us shared an intimate moment with someone special.  Most of us laughed with friends.  Most of us ate at least a few good meals.  Most of us lent an ear to a friend in need and had the favor returned.  Most of us heard a story or read a story or watched a story that touched and inspired us.  Most of us enjoyed a warm sunny day.  Most of us embraced the refreshing rain.  Most of us listened to a song that made us cry, made us rock or made us dance.  For all of these moments, I am grateful.

Isn’t it often the little things?  Grand gestures are great, but it’s the simple acts and words that really warm your heart, give you hope and reaffirm.  It can be an unexpected hug from one of your kids.  It can be a stranger offering to return your cart at the grocery store.  It can be a funny joke your friend texts you because it made her think of you.  It can be an encouraging comment from another blogger you respect.  These are the things I take with me from one year to the next.  These are the things that make me feel like I’m not alone, that we’re all doing this together, supporting each other, all of us just doing the best we can in this life.

The funny thing is, we often don’t realize when we are giving someone one of these moments.  A simple smile or comment or kind gesture that may brighten someone’s day, maybe makes them feel better when they’re struggling.  We do these things and don’t always know how it’s received.  But we do them because they make us feel good.  It feels good to be nice to a stranger.  To be patient with others.  To make someone smile or laugh.

So, bring on the change 2014.  I’m ready.  I know that there will be ups and there will be downs.  I know that I’ll spend a good bit of time on the upward climb.  But at the top comes change, and it’s usually change for the better.  And I know that there will be people, some of you, who do or say something that gives me a little nudge, a little encouragement.  I’m not one for resolutions.  But I do usually have a wish or a declaration for the coming year.  For 2014, I wish for all of you hope, fortitude, strength.  I wish for all of you to feel love and fulfillment and peace.   My wish is for you to all have an abundance of the small moments.