I was about to say the very same..; change is often for the good, despite trepidations at the thought of it happening! Change equals embracing the unknown, and, letting go of the past both of which have latent benefits!
Susie, I have had a long standing belief that out of everything bad that happens in one’s life, something better always comes of it. That I think falls into the change is often for the good frame of mind.
My intention is to learn to flow like water, which follows the low places, often on the path of least resistance, flowing around boulders and blockages. Yet, water is powerful; its persistent action can wear away obstructions in its way and carve a new path.
Joni, Thank you so much for sharing your lovely intention here. I love water. Yes, indeed, sometimes when it is feeling bold it barrels past the least resistance and moves everything in it’s path!
A perceptive, poignant post, Pamela. My brain seems stuck in alliterative mode today. I still stand by what I stated. As I read and processed your post, a song made popular by Judy Collins on “Bread And Roses” came to mind. “Everything Must Change.” As one who has enjoyed her singing, and strength, for over 53 years I searched that song just now. The song was written, arranged, and recorded by Benard Ighner. She covered it about a year later, common for her early in her career. While the song refers to the unavoidable consequences of aging, it reminds the listener of a few constants. “Rain comes from the clouds, sun lights up the sky, and hummingbirds do fly.” I would do well to take that message into 2025. I wish you the best as you open your arms and heart to 2025.
Thank you Gary for sharing the lyrics to “Everything Must Change,” and the history of the song. As for the alliteration, I am a big fan of that. I have been known to sit with a thesaurus specifically seeking words to use in my writing for that purpose.
"While choosing the path of least resistance might seem to be the best way to go, it certainly does not bring challenges with it, in most cases, and so there is less opportunity to learn and grow." This is so insightful, Pamela, as is your entire essay. Change can be scary, but the key is to accept change and face the challenges it can provide.
That sprain on your ankle sounds awful. I'm glad you have recovered. You are really resourceful, making the walking sticks yourself.
Thanks so much Beth. Yes, change can be scary. I was just thinking about when I moved from my small town here in Massachusetts to L.A. That change felt quite terrifying.
That sprain was a strange one. My dad taught me to whittle when I was a kid and I guess it stuck with me.
I like this affirmation, Pamela. I think starting the day with gratitude and embracing change is the way for me for 2025. Your point about having expectation and goals leading to disappointment has been my experience over the years. There will always be a gap between the expectation (goals) and the outcome. The gap for me, fuels the disappointment and that has cascaded onto the next expectations (goals) and so on. I like the idea of simply embracing change. Thanks for sharing.
Neil. I am so glad this spoke to you as it did. Expectations have caused me some disappointment in my life. Even in recent years, I have been dreaming of a trip to Ireland and each year I think this is the year and then more health issues happen and again I don't go to Ireland. And I know better then to have such expectations, so this year I am not hoping for that trip to Ireland. Instead I am setting my heart on accepting what each day brings and enjoying the gifts of the day.
I'm looking forward to this new year that we're already in, with the full awareness that it changes every moment. As you express. The joy is in facing squarely into it, with a big YES
A good Taoist tone to this essay Pamela! Be as water. Accept and flow.
Of course there are times to resist and fight and strive and push against. But generally, since most things are not in our control, accepting what is makes great sense.
Wishing you a fine year out there on beautiful Plum Island and environs! 🎉
Baird, Thank you so much… Be as water is my creed. Perhaps because I have spent my life living so close to both the ocean and a river and I am a water sign - Scorpio - as well! Accept and flow… repeat. Happy New Year! I am glad this resonated.
Happy New Year Rod! I think I have learned the hard way a few too many times about expectations. I still forget the lesson sometimes. It is natural I know, to have dreams and desires.
Expectations can sometimes bring disappointment. -- a GREAT mantra, for all of us. Thank you for the reminder. Also, for the reminder that the new will come, new paths and opportunities. It's easy to only see the same it what appears to me -- and that hedges out opportunity for growth. Change is continual. We can expect new opportunities to practice our "skills", and thus change ourselves.
Marc, I am so glad this resonated with you. Expectations are hard task masters, I think. I try not to have them, but sometimes for some special occasions or things I do and sometimes those things fall through. The less one expects the less disappointment perhaps. I know that has certainly played out for me on more than a few occasions. Change is absolutely continual. We need to expect it and embrace it. I love to watch change happening through nature. There are so many lessons there.
Your words are full of wisdom Pamela, we all are guilty, at one point or other, of clinging to the known, the normal and in some respects the easy and its not always what is the best for us - this new year, I believe, will be one of great change for many of us and I for one, with you, am ready to accept whatever these challenges bring! Lets do it! xx
Susie, I think you are right, 2025 has all the hallmarks of great change for many of us. I am ready to accept what comes, and with that I do pray that the challenges make us stronger, wiser and more gentle with each other. I do believe that accepting what comes may include prayers and hopes. xoxo
Receptive rather than resistant: great words.
Thanks so much Jill! I am so glad that that phrase resonated with you!
It can change the way one thinks and is so simple, thanks for posting it.
It can!
I was about to say the very same..; change is often for the good, despite trepidations at the thought of it happening! Change equals embracing the unknown, and, letting go of the past both of which have latent benefits!
Susie, I have had a long standing belief that out of everything bad that happens in one’s life, something better always comes of it. That I think falls into the change is often for the good frame of mind.
I totally agree Pamela, even if the evidence is difficult to accept to begin with, eventually all becomes clear! x
My intention is to learn to flow like water, which follows the low places, often on the path of least resistance, flowing around boulders and blockages. Yet, water is powerful; its persistent action can wear away obstructions in its way and carve a new path.
Joni, Thank you so much for sharing your lovely intention here. I love water. Yes, indeed, sometimes when it is feeling bold it barrels past the least resistance and moves everything in it’s path!
A perceptive, poignant post, Pamela. My brain seems stuck in alliterative mode today. I still stand by what I stated. As I read and processed your post, a song made popular by Judy Collins on “Bread And Roses” came to mind. “Everything Must Change.” As one who has enjoyed her singing, and strength, for over 53 years I searched that song just now. The song was written, arranged, and recorded by Benard Ighner. She covered it about a year later, common for her early in her career. While the song refers to the unavoidable consequences of aging, it reminds the listener of a few constants. “Rain comes from the clouds, sun lights up the sky, and hummingbirds do fly.” I would do well to take that message into 2025. I wish you the best as you open your arms and heart to 2025.
Thank you Gary for sharing the lyrics to “Everything Must Change,” and the history of the song. As for the alliteration, I am a big fan of that. I have been known to sit with a thesaurus specifically seeking words to use in my writing for that purpose.
i watch a movie the other day and the main character said it a few times: "the only life path is the one left behind"
Perfectlight, That is an interesting observation. I like it. Thanks for sharing it with me. I’m glad you enjoyed this post.
"While choosing the path of least resistance might seem to be the best way to go, it certainly does not bring challenges with it, in most cases, and so there is less opportunity to learn and grow." This is so insightful, Pamela, as is your entire essay. Change can be scary, but the key is to accept change and face the challenges it can provide.
That sprain on your ankle sounds awful. I'm glad you have recovered. You are really resourceful, making the walking sticks yourself.
Happy 2025!
Thanks so much Beth. Yes, change can be scary. I was just thinking about when I moved from my small town here in Massachusetts to L.A. That change felt quite terrifying.
That sprain was a strange one. My dad taught me to whittle when I was a kid and I guess it stuck with me.
I like this affirmation, Pamela. I think starting the day with gratitude and embracing change is the way for me for 2025. Your point about having expectation and goals leading to disappointment has been my experience over the years. There will always be a gap between the expectation (goals) and the outcome. The gap for me, fuels the disappointment and that has cascaded onto the next expectations (goals) and so on. I like the idea of simply embracing change. Thanks for sharing.
Neil. I am so glad this spoke to you as it did. Expectations have caused me some disappointment in my life. Even in recent years, I have been dreaming of a trip to Ireland and each year I think this is the year and then more health issues happen and again I don't go to Ireland. And I know better then to have such expectations, so this year I am not hoping for that trip to Ireland. Instead I am setting my heart on accepting what each day brings and enjoying the gifts of the day.
Nice article
Thank you Raed!
Hope to 2025 has in store very lovely things for all of us.
Raed, I hope the same for us all!
I'm looking forward to this new year that we're already in, with the full awareness that it changes every moment. As you express. The joy is in facing squarely into it, with a big YES
Diane, I do agree, the joy is facing it squarely! Thanks so much for chiming in. Happy to find your page yesterday!
A good Taoist tone to this essay Pamela! Be as water. Accept and flow.
Of course there are times to resist and fight and strive and push against. But generally, since most things are not in our control, accepting what is makes great sense.
Wishing you a fine year out there on beautiful Plum Island and environs! 🎉
Baird, Thank you so much… Be as water is my creed. Perhaps because I have spent my life living so close to both the ocean and a river and I am a water sign - Scorpio - as well! Accept and flow… repeat. Happy New Year! I am glad this resonated.
I hadn’t thought about expectations like that, Pamela. Thanks for pointing that out! I hope you have a healthy, joyous and memorable 2025.
Happy New Year Rod! I think I have learned the hard way a few too many times about expectations. I still forget the lesson sometimes. It is natural I know, to have dreams and desires.
Expectations can sometimes bring disappointment. -- a GREAT mantra, for all of us. Thank you for the reminder. Also, for the reminder that the new will come, new paths and opportunities. It's easy to only see the same it what appears to me -- and that hedges out opportunity for growth. Change is continual. We can expect new opportunities to practice our "skills", and thus change ourselves.
Marc, I am so glad this resonated with you. Expectations are hard task masters, I think. I try not to have them, but sometimes for some special occasions or things I do and sometimes those things fall through. The less one expects the less disappointment perhaps. I know that has certainly played out for me on more than a few occasions. Change is absolutely continual. We need to expect it and embrace it. I love to watch change happening through nature. There are so many lessons there.
I envy your local wetlands .. mucho ! But have my Sub-Tidal pet Project / Property - ‘Turks Grift ‘to scratch that itch eh ! 🏴☠️🦎🧜🏽♀️🧜
The local wetlands are wonderful. However every year the tides rise more and more. It is always a concern here despite the beauty and the splendor!
Your words are full of wisdom Pamela, we all are guilty, at one point or other, of clinging to the known, the normal and in some respects the easy and its not always what is the best for us - this new year, I believe, will be one of great change for many of us and I for one, with you, am ready to accept whatever these challenges bring! Lets do it! xx
Susie, I think you are right, 2025 has all the hallmarks of great change for many of us. I am ready to accept what comes, and with that I do pray that the challenges make us stronger, wiser and more gentle with each other. I do believe that accepting what comes may include prayers and hopes. xoxo
"I am grateful for the new paths that appear on my life's journey."
I love love love this. I am open to whatever opportunities the universe sends my way
Yay, Elizabeth! I am so glad this resonates with you!
Acceptance, key! though often tough.
Mary, I find the more I practice acceptance the easier it gets, especially when coupled with understanding, compassion and tolerance.