Rambling on about Reflections, Resilience, and Hopes for a Better Year Ahead…

As November fades into memory and December quietly arrives, there’s a sense that we’re stepping into life’s final chapter of the year. The days grow shorter, the air crisper, and the world seems to slow down just enough for reflection. December is often a time to take stock of where we’ve been, what we’ve learned, and who we’ve become over the past eleven months.

I usually spend November reminding myself of the thankful moments, the blessings that I have seen. Sometimes it is hard to see them as they come when overwhelmed by the chaos and the reality of what is going on around us. The transition into December invites us to look back on the year’s journey — its triumphs and challenges, its moments of joy and episodes of hardship. It’s a month that encourages introspection, giving us a chance to honor our growth and acknowledge the resilience, the strength God gifted us that carried us through difficult times. Whether this year has been one of celebration or struggle, December offers space for gratitude and acceptance. It is the time I think deeper, longer, and more seriously about my lifer and what I hope to leave behind me, and what I hope for and want to work on in the new year ahead.

This is the month I choose to do my letting go, and my building up for the year ahead. As we approach the end of the year, we’re reminded of the importance of letting go. It’s a time to release regrets, disappointments, and the weight of what didn’t go as planned. Instead, we can focus on the lessons learned and the inner strength we’ve cultivated. For me, December provides an opportunity to forgive myself and others, and to focus on clearing a path for new beginnings.

While this year has felt as if I have been living in a dystopian alternate world, it is, blessedly, almost done. To say I am anxious for what is coming is an understatement, but I am hopeful, hopeful for a brighter year ahead. I am more than ready to say goodbye to 2025.  So, as the last page of the year’s calendar turns, hope naturally begins to bloom for the year ahead. The promise of a fresh start feels powerful and exhilarating. I am dreaming of a better year ahead. One filled with kindness, connection, and personal fulfillment. We all usually set new intentions, promises and revolutions for the new year. I am hoping that perhaps this year they will come with more wisdom and compassion than ever before, and am preparing my mind and soul to embrace whatever comes my way.

This time of year, I try and remember that being present is a blessing. December isn’t just about endings; it’s also about being present in the moment and savoring the experiences that make life meaningful. Whether it’s sharing celebrations with loved ones, finding joy in winter’s beauty, or simply appreciating quiet moments of peace, this final chapter of the year reminds us to cherish what’s here and now.

As we move into December — the last chapter of this year’s story — we carry with us the lessons of the past and the hope for a brighter future. May the coming year bring renewal, growth, and happiness. Let us step forward with open hearts and resilient spirits, ready to write the next chapter of our lives… Now let’s get ready to do this. I am propping myself up to prepare, if we can get through December without the world blowing up we have a new year just 31 days away…