“It’s the emptiest and yet the fullest of all human messages: ‘Good-bye.”
― Kurt Vonnegut, Bluebeard

Living is a form of not being sure, not knowing what’s next or how. The moment you know how, you begin to die a little.  The artist never entirely knows. We guess. We may be wrong, but we take leap after leap in the dark.
-Agnes de Mille

Once every year
We look back. We look forward.
Ask, how did we do?
-New Year Haiku, Written by me

I love writing Haiku’s.  At a recent High School Girl’s Retreat, we spent time writing haiku’s about light and darkness. The small poems left a big impression on my heart. I’ll be sharing those over the next few weeks.

I’ll be honest (and I never want to be anything else with you), I’m not sad to say goodbye to 2013. Without a doubt, it was quite possibly one of the hardest years of my life (and I’ve had some hard ones, as I’m sure you have, too). I haven’t written about a lot of it, because I just couldn’t find the words or the energy to process the shadowy corners of my heart. One thing is certain: I made it through the valley and am now able to see the deep life lessons God had for me. Oh, I didn’t have a clue at the time, because the dark was so dark, but now, as the light of hindsight begins to glow, I am seeing and hearing from God. He had work to do in my heart and in my life and for that, I am grateful. So, as I bid that deep, dark valley adieu, I am not sad. I am open and eager and expectant for 2014’s work to begin.

But, today, on the very first day of 2014, let me encourage you to take just a few minutes to haiku about your desires for this brand new year.

I’ll get us started:

A clean slate awaits.
What will be written on it?
My heart seeks fresh starts.
-January 1, 2014

Goodbye to harsh winds
that tussled my heart and soul.
Leaving me breathless.
-An Ode to a Deep Valley

Hello soft breezes
that revive, renew, restore.
Leaving me hopeful.
-An Ode to Revival

Okay, grab a pen and paper. Please share your insightful haiku’s with us. They are a powerful way of reflecting and envisioning. I am ready and waiting!

And remember, this is a no-judgement zone. I feel so much better after writing these little poetic messages. I bet you will, too!