Well, the year of 2021 is just about over and 2022’s adventures are about to begin.

I share this blessing from John O’Donohue:

At The End Of The Year
As this year draws to its end,

We give thanks for the gifts it brought

And how they became inlaid within

Where neither time nor tide can touch them.

The days when the veil lifted

And the soul could see delight;

When a quiver caressed the heart

In the sheer exuberance of being here.

Surprises that came awake

In forgotten corners of old fields

Where expectation seemed to have quenched.
The slow, brooding times

When all was awkward

And the wave in the mind

Pierced every sore with salt.

The darkened days that stopped

The confidence of the dawn.

Days when beloved faces shone brighter

With light from beyond themselves;

And from the granite of some secret sorrow

A stream of buried tears loosened.

We bless this year for all we learned,

For all we loved and lost

And for the quiet way it brought us

Nearer to our invisible destination.

And for 2022 – my own words – Take some intentional time to ponder and discern a word to guide you in the coming year. In the past, I have shared ‘star words’ with my congregation on Epiphany Sunday as a way to focus ‘being’ in a new year. So, today, I invite you to find your word for 2022.

The word that sings to me for this coming year is ‘Appreciate’.

The meaning of the word:

verb (used with object), ap·pre·ci·at·ed, ap·pre·ci·at·ing.

to be grateful or thankful for: They appreciated his thoughtfulness.

to value or regard highly;

place a high estimate on: to appreciate good wine.

to be fully conscious of;

be aware of;

detect: to appreciate the dangers of a situation.

to raise in value.

verb (used without object), ap·pre·ci·at·ed, ap·pre·ci·at·ing.

to increase in value: Property values appreciated yearly.

At this moment in time the act of intentional appreciation is something that I need to be reminded of and I believe a whole lot of us could use the reminder too! Whatever word becomes yours for 2022, may you be well!

Love and Blessings to all as we continue to step forward into the future!