It’s nearing the end of the first day of 2019 and everything that could distract me is vying for my attention: my random thoughts, both good and bad, the book of Dr. Maya Angelou’s poetry I have open on my desk, even my current shuffled iTunes playlist. Last year I was so focused on operating in survival mode because that’s what I thought I had to do to get through the year in one piece. In some ways, when necessary, it helped. Most of the time, however, it proved a hinderance to my growth (gotta love hindsight!). Today, I want to focus on rising from the ashes and being present. That includes being present in my friendships and family relationships, my relationship with God, of course, and also of great importance, my relationship with myself. I don’t want to say “for the rest of the year I’m going to focus on this…” I intend to take this year one day at a time, practicing intentionality throughout, but not rushing or forcing myself to fit some impossible or unrealistic standard of what the entire year or even next six months should look like.
You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.
Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of the tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I’ll rise.
(1st and 3rd stanzas of “Still I Rise” by Dr. Maya Angelou)
Musings of a Wanderer 
I like the concepts included in being “present”. Also “intentionality” has been on my mind, also. Seems like everything in our culture is designed to keep us away from these two concepts, at least the way the Media presents our cultural value system!
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