New Years Eve 2008

I felt it important to add one last blog for 2008. I’ve been in a kind of “holidaze” recently and just haven’t felt compelled to write. I can hear some of my beloveds groaning at that last comment. I know that I’ve been MIA but that’s OK. I still have plenty to share and more to say. Will you stay tuned in 09? I hope so.

Today however is the last day of 08. Another wonderful year has come and gone. Filled with so much living, a little procrastination, and a whole lot of love. It was, as they all are really, a fine year. I made every attempt to end this year on a high note. So that meant getting up at 5am, assembling my mountain bike gear, loading the bike in the truck and heading off to a 7am client meeting. As soon as I was finished with the meeting I dialed my buddy and brother in arms Jimmy and told him I was on my way to the woods. He and Moon (the man) and Takoda (the dog) met me there and we headed out just as the snow started falling. It was cold and silent except for the crunching of our tires in the leftover snow from the last storm. What a sweet ride we had. Up and down, crossing streams and hopping logs. The snow made the roots and rocks slicker than usual which forced me to relax and let the bike slide finding its own way. Sometimes the more you fight the more you fall and today I let the elements determine my line – and stayed upright as a result. Sometimes in Life it’s when we relinquish the need to force things and control situations that we make a really simple discovery. The trail becomes one continuous thread of ups and downs, obstacles and challenges, and yet we stay calm and focused – totally relaxed and in the flow.

Today in the woods was one of those days. We paused in an old growth Hemlock forest to catch our breaths and appreciate the quietude. The last day of another year that for so many has been filled with tremendous stress and worry. As I exhaled watching my breath in the form of vapor disappear into the snowy sky I set loose a heartfelt wish:

That this coming year be filled with such an abundance of all good things for all living beings. May their lives be filled with joy and peace. May every and all their wishes come true starting today. And as I let this intent go I felt all those good wishes manifest inside myself – coming right back to me. Thank you is all I can say right now.

Thank you and blessings for the New Year.

J

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