New.
It’s such a short word.
To some, it inspires excitement and adventure. To others, it terrifies.
There have been times when I longed for the comfort of sameness. No surprises. Just wind me up and let me go unimpeded.
I would have loved to just routinely put my dishes away this week. However, a glass bowl virtually exploded in my hand – raining down shards over an open dishwasher filled with clean dishes, and even into an exposed open drawer and beyond! Of course, it then flew over freshly cleaned floors. (More on the aftermath of that next week).
That was taxing enough, but day-after-day repeats?
Even good repetitions can be suffocating for me.
Why? It’s not a matter of being a thrill seeker, but I have a deep desire to not live the same day repeatedly. (Remember the movie Groundhog Day?)
Why would I want to paint the same picture on every new page?
My young adult self was very unsure about the concept of the future, setting goals, change, new beginnings, and anything unknown. There was a struggle within between ‘going with the flow’ and ‘being the master of my own ship.’
As I have aged and have watched and experienced the unpredictability of life for everyone, there is no desire to lather/rinse/repeat with my time.
Knowing I am the only one in control of my life, even when visiting the same restaurant, I want to branch out from my location-specific choices of old to discover something new.
Taking a walk this morning saw us on a new path through the neighborhood. Discovering more houses being built inspired us to walk around the build sites, where we observed new interesting home features.
Even while doing the familiar, there is something for us to discover that is new. We must actively look for it.
Need I add, it takes us looking away from our cell phones to really see the world around us? To experience something new, we must be present in the moment.
How are you experiencing newness? Can you do, think, learn, and create something unique or distinctive right now, today, and tomorrow?
Can you find the blessing in your new experience?
Speaking of blessings, happy birthday to our editor, Sheree Alderman, who is not only starting a new year, but charting several new courses! It will be a grand ride, Captain!
In health –
Deidre