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Christian D.Larson, Female Offenders, John O'Donohue, poems for the New Year, poetry, Writing, Writing Inside VT

Two Poems to Think About for the New Year

Mona Alvarado Frazier

So many thought provoking articles appeared this last week about the new year, new beginnings, dreams to reach for, and things to think about. 

Two poems that captured my attention are shared here for you to turn over in your mind, maybe help you to pick up a pen, type some words, sketch, or sing. 
This first poem is listed as a writing prompt on the Writing Inside VT blog where writers Sarah W. Bartlett and Marybeth Redmond bring ” incarcerated women’s words from the inside-out.” They both volunteer at Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility and facilitate weekly writing circles. 
For a New Beginning
In out-of-the-way places of the heart,
Where your thoughts never think to wander,
This beginning has been quietly forming,
Waiting until you were ready to emerge.
For a long time it has watched your desire,
Feeling the emptiness growing inside you,
Noticing how you willed yourself on,
Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.
It watched you play with the seduction of safety
And the gray promises that sameness whispered,
Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent,
Wondered would you always live like this.
Then the delight, when your courage kindled,
And out you stepped onto new ground,
Your eyes young again with energy and dream,
A path of plenitude opening before you.
Though your destination is not yet clear
You can trust the promise of this opening;
Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning
That is at one with your life’s desire.
Awaken your spirit to adventure;
Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;
Soon you will be home in a new rhythm,
For your soul senses the world that awaits you.
~ John O’Donohue ~
Consider what you are leaving behind in 2012 and what you are bringing forward into 2013.

This poem reminded me of a cocoon breaking open, an unfurling of new untested wings, slow, hesitant, then steady. We may have been on this same route many times before, but this time it’s going to be different. Maybe not a giant step, maybe only a small leap. Whatever the size it’s a link from past to future.

This poem was on my Facebook.

Can you make this promise to yourself? Do you dare? Read it, say it, believe it. 

Dreams, Encouragement, Go For Your Dreams, Goals, Visualization

Roadmap To Your Dreams

Mona Alvarado Frazier

Last year my pre New Year’s word of intention was Create. This year I didn’t plan on a new word. The last week of the year was kind of fuzzy because of illness, so I decided to forget about it. 

But there is no forgetting, I found my phrase-it found me- during the first hours on New Year’s Day.

After the NYE party I slept for four hours before my boyfriend and I drove to Pasadena to spend the morning at the Rose Parade. 

Attending the parade, an hour and fifteen minutes away, was one of those last minute “Go for it,” moments when you really go for it, whatever the cost. Oh, it was worth it even at a chilly (for Southern Cal residents) 42^ morning.

The first float was “Follow Your Dreams.” A multi-island 5,000 rose festooned float, using features inspired by Dr. Seuss, illustrated a child’s imagination and dreams. 

An island, a bridge, a castle, 16 foot slide, pinwheels and planes fashioned from 20,000 flowers gave me my inspiration for the new year: Go For My Dreams.   

This is not to say that one clicks the red sparkly shoes repeating “Follow your dreams,” ad nauseum.
The theme is a reminder to keep dreaming, to never give up, to remember that one step back can be followed by a step forward, like  in a great little cha-cha dance: side step, back step, forward. 

When following your dreams a roadmap is wise-you might get there quicker. And it can’t be any old map-it has to be your map.

Instead of cities along the road, visualize landmarks or stepping stones working towards small and larger goals. Make a collage or use an old road map and draw on it. Or try this free printable from Living Locurto.  Now put it somewhere you can frequently view it.


                                                                  Your map=Your dream

Now, name your goals/dreams, draw them, and/or find a symbol for the dream to feel it. Look at the details of your dreams in your mind’s eye. Keep a hold of that vivid image, refer to your drawing, or symbol for it whenever you need a reminder of your dream. 

Okay, got the picture? 
Now, go for your dreams, one step at a time, enjoy the scenery, include rest stops and may you have a creative, loving, and peaceful New Year.