Am I the only one who is in utter disbelief that 20 years passed by so quickly? Weren't we all just saying "Y2K," freaking out about the computer bug and singing Prince's song "1999? Back then, I was working for state government as a secretary. They sent me to the office right before midnight on New Years Eve to sit there and watch the office computers in case they blew up. Like I could do anything about it if they did! Fire extinguisher? Garden hose? Bucket of water? LOL! So ridiculous.
How times have changed. Heck, it's hard to believe I have had this little old blog for 12 years! Technology and information seems to come faster and faster and honestly, it wears me out some days. I find I miss the blogging days between 2007 and 2010. Those were the days before Facebook really took off. It was so fun and inspiring in blog land. I met the best people, learned interesting things, traveled without ever leaving my house and made lifelong friends. The closeness of us all back then was so comforting and kind. No ads flashing in our faces, no counting "Likes" or getting friend requests from strange men in Egypt (creepy!) and no algorithms controlled by people who sell your information. None of that at all. There were just friends who liked the same things. Friends who came by to visit each week to catch up and leave a kind comment or two.
But alas, things change and nothing gold can stay.
I've never been one to make New Year's resolutions. To think of all the stuff I screwed up during the year and then head into the new year feeling the need to "resolve" them like cat barf stains on the carpet. No thank you. To me, setting goals is much more fun and positive. In addition to setting goals, I love to have a focus word for the year. I usually just let the word come to me and this year the word that came was "Trust."
I read this piece by Brianna Wiest.
"When it is time for something new, you will feel it. You will feel a desire to let go, to shed layers, to move, to re-create. You will know because there will be subtle shifts all around you. You will release the old because you are really clearing the path for what's ahead. Trust this process. Know that life does not take from us anything unless there is something else immediately awaiting its replacement."
That really spoke to me as I contemplated changes I wanted to make and goals I wanted to set going into this next decade. Trust can be hard especially when one has been burned and learned things the hard way so many times. But, I've decided I will just Trust the path and Trust the next chapter because I know the author. ;)
Happy New Year dear ones. I'll see ya right back here next Wednesday with a tale about three of my lifelong friends and a trip across the pond.
Hugs,
Michelle
21 comments:
Hi Michelle
Happy New Year to you and your husband along with your rabbits and cat
I live in central west NSW Australia and at the moment we are in the worst drought ever and bush fires not ever scene before, nothing will improve until we get RAIN!
I really enjoy reading your blog and hope it continues, I am not a blogger but enjoy reading several blogs from your country.
Hope the rabbits are behaving and I look forward to next Wednesday.
Kind regards
Deborah Smith
My first time reading your blog and enjoyed it. Was worried at first it would read like those dreaded fiction based Christmas letters I receive many years. Do the senders not think that I know them, I went through many of their ups and downs with them. Anyway back to your blog. Sit made me smile and laugh.
Lovely post Shell. I don't make resolutions either. Look forward to next week's post. Hugs, xx
I love your post! Happy New Year!
Great post, Michelle! I used to write a blog too - Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails. I also started it in 2007, and I miss those days. I always say that blogging changed my life. It opened up the world for me and I made so many like-minded friends. I haven’t posted a thing there since 2017, and only two entries that year.
I love your idea of a word rather than a resolution. Trust is a great one. Wonderful quote too.
Happy New Year, my friend!
Lol, I've had lots of time to reflect on the whole Y2K thing lately.. I was a supervisor on the computer help desk for a fairly large bank. We were really sweating the potential crashes and issues. Word was out, the only way you could get out of working was your own death. We sure did get to watch a lot of fireworks displays over the course of that one long evening shift! Thankfully, all our programmers worked long and hard, and everything kept going!
I have enjoyed going with you on your journey over the last few years; you've been a great inspiration and friend (to so very many!) I'm looking forward to the next 20!
David and I were having the same Y2K conversation last night too lol here we are a decade in and my life looks so different
Oh, I had that babsitting the computer system work expierence as well (state tax dept.) I never got caught up in the facebook or instagram buzz because I didn't trust them. It's nice to have you back with us.
Dear, dear Shell -
As I read your words about the blogging days of old, I am comforted to know that I am NOT the only one who has grieved those precious days. I too have just realized that this January marks 12 years for me as well when I first pressed that publish button. I was not scared nor was I over-thinking it all; I simply opened my heart to the world and the world gave back. Like you described, those were the days before advertisements, likes being counted or the big shadow of FB or monetizing. I made a few life long friends with only one of them remaining as faithful as can be to correspond with me DAILY on email. A few friends are still very dear but have pulled out of social media...
As I read your post about the Word for the Year, I am amazed. I just read an email from an old friend here in town with whom I will meet for coffee and discuss the things we love: poetry, art, life. She asked, "Do you have a word for the year?" She proceeded to say exactly what you are saying here, to allow the word to COME TO YOU. It's no coincidence that I should read this twice within literally a span of only five minutes.
My word for the year in 2019 was "GRACE." I knew I had to not confine my word to my poetry, but to allow this word to jump off of the page and guide my daily life. My words for this year are "let go." I don't know what this holds for me this year, but I do know that on a more "safe" and manageable level, letting go will mean freedom for me. To let go of trying to micro-manage to the point of frustration. Letting go will mean (I hope!) that I can listen more, react less in self-defense and just grow up once again as I turn 62.
Shell, you are a treasure. I can see already that in social media, there are already generations developing, and I see that we belong to the generation of kindness, friendship and simpler times. CHEERS to you and all your loved ones for a great 2020!
Glad to see you are back to blogging, have really missed you! Happy New Year to you!
Hi Michelle, Another lovely blog; thank you. Somehow you manage to bring light and gentle joy into our lives, again - thank you.
Here's hoping your New Year brings to you as much Joy & Happiness as you bring to others!
Happy New Year. I usually wait up for the ball to drop, but I didn't make it. Getting too old.
Have a great New Year.
Hey Shell,
Love your blog and your word. I do agree with all you had to say about blogging back in the day :-} As you know I still blog at least once a month by participating in blog hops with so many of the blogging friends I have made over the years. My bloggy friends are so supportive and giving I too miss the greater frequency of blogging in the past. One of my goals of this year was to to try to do a couple of blogs a month not just my hops. Health and Happiness to your entire gang, the bunnies, the kitties and the hubby. I'll be following.
Wow I so agree with you about the fun of blog land back then, it was great fun. I am so happy that you are back here on a weekly basis again as I look forward to your news and seeing all your new designs. I am not on Facebook so it's here and Instagram for me!
God bless you and David and your babies in 2020!
Happy New Years.....you are one amazing person and loved reading your post today
Happy New Year to you, too.
I loved what you said about life not taking from us unless there is an immediate replacement.
We had some people taken from us in 2019 and along with the challenges have come some signs of moving forward so yes I need a goal and I have one in mind. I will let you know how it's coming along later. So busy here and not much stitching but love to see you on facebook and I agree that I love blogs better, too.
BTW I am not unknown and have the same name as the bunny rescuer. :)
Happy New Year Michelle to you, David and your lovely furry family.
It really did not seem that long ago when 2000 hit and yes, it was funny about the 2YK bug and how it was going to effect us all.
Stock up on water and cans of food etc ha!
Best wishes for a great year, with much happiness and good health.
hugs
Carolyn
Hello Shell Dear. Trust is a wonderful word and I believe it will serve you well through 2020. My word found me on the eve of this new year of 2020 Vision...CLARITY. I absolutely agree with your assessment of blogging years ago when we made dear friends and shared amazing similarities in our pursuits of creative happiness. Social media now is not enjoyable but merely a way of “seeing” what others are up to minute-by-minute. I look forward to your amazing creativity and the goals you are pursuing. Blessings Dear...<3
Happy New Year, Michelle! It’s been a lark to see your creations grow over the years, and I’m looking forward to what 2020 has in store for you. Love your word for the year. It’s a biggie!
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