My New Years Resolution 2023
23 years ago Georgie and I were driving up the north east coast of New South Wales towards Byron Bay where we planned to celebrate New Year’s Eve as the millennium clicked over and the 21st century began. Byron Bay was cordoned off to visitors unless you had accomodation. We were lucky enough the find a guesthouse located pretty close to the lighthouse overlooking the beach that had just had an unexpected cancellation. We got in by the skin of our teeth.
Georgie was pregnant with Finn, he was born 3 months later.
Wow, that’s a lifetime ago for Finn but only a third of my life.
When I was younger I would sometimes fantasise about what I would be like when I was 47 years old, which is the age I was that night.
Now it’s now. Finn is 22, I am 70, Allissa is 41, Kaye is 84 and Georgie is 60. Paul has moved on to whatever dimension that could possibly exist when the life cycle ends.
That’s enough looking back.
All that matters now is the present as it tracks its way through fleeting moments that are measured by the silent movement of a clock’s hands that represent the movement of the planets through the space of the solar system.
Once again I come back to the simple act of gratitude. This unique experience is transient which makes it even more precious. One’s time is scarce like gold and diamonds. It’s value is heightened by recognition of the miracle that constantly unfolds.
New Year is often a time for reflection. 4 years ago at the end of 2018 I was contemplating my future. I prepared a feast for my friends that night in celebration of what I hoped would be a new beginning. I got off to a false start but got on track by February and have been pretty consistent for 1460 days. No alcohol, complete change of lifestyle, exercise, discipline. I even survived cancer. I’m not certain but I think that I may have captured a sketch of my life each and every day in my journal. So much has happened, so much has changed. I am happier, healthier and more evolved.
It is possibly time to take my life to a new level. Greater health and fitness, more adventure, more creativity, enhanced gratitude, more meaningful interactions with others, substantial increase in knowledge. From where I stand at this point I will strive to recognise life as an art form. Every action that I take should fabricate some meaningful contribution to make all that is in my universe somewhat more beautiful, more harmonious, more conducive to greater levels of aesthetics and survival for myself and others.
If I can find something good in anything that I experience even if it is the challenge of understanding another persons idiosyncrasies and foibles or to find something harmonious in the discordant sound of a suburban lawn mower then I will know that I am on the right path.
2023 will be my year of acceptance, tolerance, adventure, knowledge, realisation and self discipline.
