2024, where'd you go? Does anyone else feel this year flew by so fast it gave you whiplash?
Maybe it's the age. When I was a kid it seemed I had time and more than enough. I was not one who was easily bored—I had my bestie, my books, and my imagination to keep me engaged and occupied. Still, the days, the seasons, melted one into another at an unhurried pace that I wished would hurry more. Then one year I'm blowing out the candles on my 18th birthday cake, and a few whirlwind decades later I can potentially burn down a house with that flaming pastry.
Time has flown and how's that for a cliché? But I believe I'm in just the right season of life to appreciate this creative journey I'm on. Semi-retired, moving at a more sedate pace and with more decorum (so I like to think).
When the old year draws to a close with a new year on the horizon, it's like turning the page of an engaging novel, or like writing on the first page of a brand new journal. It's a time of reflection and renewal. Some people like to make resolutions, others like to roll their eyes at them. Personally, I dig that yearly optimism and hope of change. Even if such change doesn't make it past the third week of January. But there's 'change' and there's 'transformation'. These past few years of my life have been about transformation, consistent and sustainable.
A new year also prompts the question: 'what's next?' My answer: I don't know. Perhaps the next grand adventure will be grandparenthood. Or not. My kids are moving like a herd of turtles on that front, but it's all good, as the cliché goes.
You see, I'm that person. Who lives in the moment. Not a cliché. You can ask my mom who worries about such goings on as flying by the seat of my pants. I'm not much of a planner. Never have been. Not saying that's a good thing, casual life can have its consequences. However, I'm content to live day by day and that is a good thing. It brings a peace, even when things don't go according to plans I never make.
This doesn't mean I sit idle waiting for stuff to happen. For instance, at the start of the new year, I start to troll the numerous art calls and apply where I feel led to. I'd love to apply to them all, but there are fees involved—submission, participation, membership. To borrow a cliché from my father, I'm not made of money so I must use discernment. That I'm invited into most of the shows I apply to means this is not a game of chance, nor do I believe in luck. I'm carried along by something I worry about not at all.
Six years into this journey and I'm still joyfully cruising. I don't create art I think will be popular. I create art I love, with a randomness I embrace, and a confidence in my creative processes. If my art speaks to you, if it moves you, if it's good enough to show in public, then it's good enough. God moves me as He sees fit—like a chess piece on the board of life in the hand of a Grandmaster. Because if it were up to me...
Those who have consistently followed my progress may have noticed that I didn't create as much art this year as I have in previous years. No, I have not lost my momentum. I spent a goodly portion of 2024 illustrating a historical children's book that is now being translated into three languages. I also got caught up writing an anthology of short stories I hope to publish early next year. I did manage some free time to create new art which resulted in my latest pieces 'Echoes of Ancient', inspired by my fascination with the ancient, and 'Layne Loveless and Voodoo Lovelle', inspired by my appreciation of vintage blues and jazz.
Despite my lack of planning, I'm happy to report this has been a productive year. So, as we bid Sayonara, in the formal sense of the word, to a year we'll never see again, I invite you to reflect on 2024. Your accomplishments, your disappointments, your moments of high joy and high drama that made up your daily dose of life.
What I wish for you in 2025?
-To live in each moment as it too shall pass
-To be inspired
-To act on a dream you've harbored for many a moon
-To take not your loved ones for granted
-To cultivate new friendships and nurture old ones, for as guardian angel Clarence Odbody wrote to George Bailey at the wonderful ending of It's a Wonderful Life, "no man is a failure who has friends."
And if you have 'new year, new me' resolutions, I don't roll my eyes at you. I say 'cheers' and applaud your optimism. After all, what would life be without hope? The whole reason for the Advent season.
I hope your Christmas is merry and bright. May you also have a safe and Happy New Year. I look forward to seeing you in 2025!
For His Glory
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