Thinking About the New Year

A friend recently forwarded me a series of questions she was reflecting on at the end of 2021, as she faced the beginning of the new year.  

I’ll list them here, in case anyone would like to reflect on them as well. 

1. What blessings / good things were given to me this past year?
2. Is there something I feel proud of or grateful to have learned or helped make happen?
3. Do these offer any clues as to how I’d like to use my energy, time or money in the coming year?
4. What people have been a blessing to me, enriching my life in a big way and helping me?
5. What books, podcasts or encounters have stayed with me and why?
6. What sorrows have I known?
7. What is helping me cradle these sorrows with exceeding tenderness?
8. What habits and practices have helped sustain me in 2021?
9. Are there any habits or practices I’d like to foster in 2022?
10. What insights have I gained in the school of life?
11. Is there a prayer or tender yearning in my heart - for myself or for others, as we journey into the new year?
12. This is a question I’m holding: .....
13. I saw love and beauty here: .....
14. As I step into 2022, this is something I want to remember and hold close to my heart: ... 

Doing a Children's Puzzle!

I guess I don't do enough puzzles!!

This one is for ages 3 plus...

And I had to work at it for 15 minutes to get it done!!

My Toronto Challenge

I didn't climb the CN tower, during my last trip to Toronto - but I did pass a different kind of "test"!

I should preface my account by mentioning that, many years ago, I lived in Montreal and drove the city expressways daily in my little Honda Civic, without giving it a second thought. Later we moved to Toronto for a year, and I thought nothing of driving on Toronto streets either.

But that was 40 years ago... and, since then, both cities have grown... and I've lost my confidence!

You may have to drive when we go to Toronto, Terry informed me, as we planned our last trip.

We were helping our daughter move from Toronto to Guelph - and Terry had volunteered to drive a rented moving van.

I can't... I don't want to, I had replied...

But, in the end, there was no choice... I did have to. I followed him for an hour and a half, down city streets and expressways. And the next day, I drove an hour and a half back into the city again as he returned the rental vehicle.



I'm glad I had to do it! It's important to challenge oneself from time to time! I later told my daughter. Then I added: I kept telling myself: Do the thing you fear, and the death of fear is certain...

Except, I mistakenly said: Do the thing you fear and the fear of death is certain...

(It must have been a Freudian slip!!)