It’s the end of 2023. We made it through another year, and there’s no telling what the next one will have in store. Back in college, I started keeping a daily planner. I write down what I do each day, include dreams, thoughts, and fears. You could call it a diary of sorts. In a few days, the one I currently write in will go on a shelf and I’ll pull out a new one. It’s my little “ceremony” to bring in the new year.
You could say my life is literally on a shelf.
Each year that passes by, I find myself more and more grateful that I started keeping a daily planner. It’s nice to be able to look back and remember what occurred each year or each specific day. All the good times and the bad. Time spent with friends and family. What happened at work. What we survived. Who helped me where and how I made a difference.
Each time I look back at my planners, I find a lot of moments where I was down in the dumps. Something made me cry and others wanted to make me give up. It makes me all the more grateful for where I am now. There’s a lot more happier things being written down in my planners and that gives me hope. Seeing where I came from and seeing where I am now gives me hope for the new year.
What adventures will I undertake? What lessons will I learn? Will dreams come true or at least get a little closer? Will something good unexpectedly happen? What about something bad?
Whatever the new year brings, I know I’m strong enough to take it. The reminders are right there on the shelf.
Wherever you are, I hope you’re facing the New Year with hope. Maybe take a look back at where you used to be and remind yourself you’re in a better place. Or, if you’re not in a better place, the New Year could bring you there. There’s always reason to hope. So, never give up.
Take a moment to look back, so you can look ahead with your head held high.
nikki diekemper 