At the end of another year, I look back with gratitude for the highs, but especially for the lows. As I prepared for my first big book launch for my YA book, The Great & the Small, fears I hadn’t even known existed popped up out of the shadows, finally ready to be dealt with. Charles Dickens said it best: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…”
The problem with fears that get tucked away and pushed down is that they don’t go anywhere. They are still inside, pulling levers and steering the ship without you knowing why you do what you do, or what is going on. It’s crazy
making sometimes. Getting to know ourselves, our own fears, our own tucked away things, is what finally grants us the freedom to move beyond fear and into awareness.
Collectively, I believe that we are all in that place of having to face the demons we have long buried. Around the world there is turmoil and upheaval—why? Because we are ready for something new. Something that is based on truth, love, awareness. Not hatred. Not fear. But anytime there is a surge of growth there is a massive backlash. I believe that’s what we are seeing.
“…it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” –Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities
Individually, we can each make a profound difference in the world, just as the pebble dropped into a lake creates ripples that reach from shore to shore. As we each face our own fears and bravely learn who we truly are—and writing, painting and other creative endeavors all help with this discovery—we can “be the change” we wish to see in the world.
In my year of facing fears and fighting demons, I wrote several articles, including one that was published online today. I share them with you here, and hope that they will inspire your own journey of self-discovery.
With love and blessings for the new year,
Andrea
P.S. What has 2024 brought to you? What do you hope for in 2025? I would love to know. And please join me on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube for more about finding joy, mental wellness, and creativity.
Comments