Into 2012 She Rides, Sword in Tow

Hello 2012.

What a great sounding year. Something about it already seems special. It has a nice ring to it, easily dancing off of the tongue into the air, lively and full of spunk.

The years prior to this broke me a little here and there. I expect 2012 to do the same in its own way. I appreciate every break I've encountered, for its given me a strong heart. This heart has been strengthened through depression (2011), hearing about my dad having cancer (2006), illnesses (2008), detours (2011), feeling stagnant (2009) and heartache (do I have to pick a year?).

We've all been broken.

I think God prefers it this way. To break means that we have tried for something grand. We've jumped off cliffs, we've attempted flight, we aimed for stars and swam against the current. We are warriors of time and space, gaining experience with each battle, valiant and proud of our scars and lost limbs. To break means that we have not stayed tucked away in cabinets where no one can drop us, hurt us or shatter us. We've put it out on the line. We're not fearless, but we're also not fearful.

I used to cower in that cabinet. But now I am a broken warrior. To live is to break, and then to be made stronger.

So, hey, 2012, whadaya got for me this year?

I'm ready.

"I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.

Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're Doing Something.

So that's my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody's ever made before. Don't freeze, don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.

Whatever it is you're scared of doing, Do it.

Make your mistakes, next year and forever."

--Neil Gaiman