What I am grateful for in 2024
A year-end evaluation
I started this post before getting the news that the job I applied to that I really wanted went to someone else. So now it’s even more important to be grateful for what I do have.
This isn’t going to cover everything but there were some big things in my life this year that I want to acknowledge.
Where I Live
After 8 months of housing instability, I finally found a place to land in April. And while it hasn’t all been roses (living in a construction zone for months was not what I signed up for) it’s been really good for me. While it’s just a room, it’s a nice big one with lots of trees outside my window, a fair amount of indirect light, and lots of storage space. I’m still working through my boxes and I’ve only hung a few pieces of my artwork so far, but it’s a beautiful space that is mostly working for me. (Could use a larger bed with a softer mattress!)
The best part is that I’m a 5 minute walk to a forest, and a couple minutes to the edge of the Bluffs. I’ve been able to spend so much time with the trees and the lake and seen so many animals that it’s been a real grounding experience for me. I’m so much more peaceful because I have this touchstone.
Working at TAPA
This really was the best job I ever had. AFter developing a marketing plan at the end of last year, I got to implement most of it this year. I also got to do some research and most exciting of all, I got to initiate livestreaming the red carpet at the Dora Awards this year. I’ve always wanted to work the Doras and it was a dream come true to do it. Even nicer, Jacoba, the Executive Director, worked with our clothing sponsor to get a rental dress for me to wear.
My contract ran out the end of August and was not renewable. They did try to find a way for me to stay but it didn’t work out. That’s ok. I’ll always treasure my time there and I hope I get to work the Dora Awards again next year.
The Intuition Practice Ladies
In August I made a significant investment in a course to expand my intution, run by Nan Akasha. I signed up because I felt a strong pull to doing it, a feeling that it would be a significant step forward for me. And it was. I connect to things on a much deeper level now and I’ve learned so much about myself and what I’m here to do.
However, the best thing to come out of it is my friendship with 4 of my classmates. When the class was over, one of them asked if anyone was intereested in getting together to practice what we had learned in the class. There’s 5 of us who meet weekly (although it’s rare to have all 5 of us together at any one session anymore) and the connections we have formed with each other has been profound. We’re all going through major life upheavals (although I believe I have the easiest of everyone - they have some serious stuff happening) and the level of support and understanding is off the charts. Being able to share the part of myself that I feel I need to soften in writing here (and this blog is meant to track my journey) is incredible.
We’re talking about doing a project together next year. Stay tuned!
Healthy People
Starting with myself. Between the rehab I did in the spring, going off the preventative meds. my nature walks, and the stairs I need to navigate in my house, I’m much stronger now than I was at the end of last year. Still not where I want to be but certainly much closer.
Also, no one in my circle dealt with a major illness this year. Whoo Hoo!
Karaoke
The last few months I’ve spent most of my Friday nights at a little restaurant in a strip plaza getting to perform. Sometimes it’s fantastic, sometimes I crash and burn. The host has an amazing list. It would take me 2 years to sing everything I want to (3 songs a night usually) but while there hasn’t been any repeats yet, there will be next year as there are songs I want to refine. I’ve been able to do some songs I never imagined I would get a chance to and while I haven’t asked yet, he’s happy to purchase a track if it’s available and you want to do it. I have a list of those for next year.
I struggle with getting regular singing practice in. This has been a huge motivator. Also a great way to learn which pieces sound great at home but don’t work with an audience!
Substack
I haven’t posted much here this year. Song of the Day was also infrequent but I did manage a few posts a month there. And yet its audience kept growing thanks to the wonderful MusicStack community here. It’s now over 100 subscribers, which is wild to me.
I really wish I had the time to read all the wonderful things people are writing. There’s so much interesting stuff. I also have to shout out to the stacks that kept me informed about things going on in the world. This has been a lovely place to be, even with the trolls that have moved into the place.
Other Thoughts
I went back to look at the cards I pulled at the beginning of the year. (You can see them here.) It pretty much tracks. They talked a lot about letting go and there was a lot of that this year. I now get why Fogged In was the outcome card, because that totally matches where I am right now. Clarity was a big theme and I feel I have that now. I know where I need to focus, even as I don’t know where that’s going to lead me. Mysteries have certainly been revealed. I have been in an ongoing conversation with myself around recapturing my initial innocence.
And boy have I been retreating and replenshing. That was the first 6 months after I landed here. I’m full-blown in transition so the cards were right about pointing me there as well. I look forward to seeing what cards I pull tomorrow.
I’m not sure what the heck is going to happen next year but I’m excited to find out! I intend to share more of that journey with you.
Happy new year and great to see you on Substack. You've got this.