Captivated Me

“Watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places”. -Roald Dahl

As we approach the end of the year – a time famous for reflection over the past and resolution for the future – please take a moment to look around you in the present. Where are you? (Me, I’m cozy with my coffee at Caribou in Maple Grove.) Who are you with? (My sister is right across the table from me.) What are you doing? (Well, as we speak, I’m writing this brief post to you.) How do you feel? (Amazing, excited, nostalgic, inspired, dot dot dot.) What do you see, smell, taste? (I see my iPad screen, but there are twinkling Christmas lights on trees outside along with some powdery snow in my periphery on the left and myriad vacant coffee shop tables on the right. The Caribou employees chat quietly at the register, and soothing alternative tunes fade into white noise as my sis and I sit in reflective silence. As for taste, I do highly recommend the rich, nutty flavor of the Northern Lite Hazelnut Latte.)

Now, think about who you are right now at this exact moment. You are a unique collection of moments, passions, knowledge, triumphs, and heartaches. You are loved, adored, and important. You are strong, capable, and competent. You have the potential to make beautiful things and change the world for the better. And the world sure needs more people like you to stand up and do just that. My prayer for you this coming year is that you will rise to the occasion.

For the sake of brevity, and since my sister and I have a few more stops to make before we welcome the fresh new year, I’ll close by citing a former professor of mine. On the very last day of class, Dr. Weil told our class to remember that “there is no alternative to hope.” I want you to remember that, too. No matter what you face in 2014 – good or bad, happy or sad – you are never ever ever without hope. And as you go:

May you welcome new challenges with determination and always greet new people with a smile.
May you learn from the past and anticipate the future, but wholly embrace the present moment.
May you give more fully, care more deeply, and laugh more heartily than you ever have before.
May you find joy in the ordinary, inspiration in the unexpected, and wonder in the unknown.
May you pursue your passion with courage and zeal, no matter what obstacles arise.
May you discover beauty in both happiness and heartache.
May your faith be much bigger than your fear.
May you do small things with great love.

Be blessed.

Love from,

Ma soeur et moi