Whatever Life Brings

January Newsletter

Jan 12, 2024

Happy New Year, Fellow Travelers,

How is 2024 unfolding for you so far? I hope it has been good in just the ways you need, whether that’s ramping up into exciting new ventures, or re-entering routines ~ or something else altogether.

My sister and I have a loose tradition of talking on the phone sometime around the turn of the New Year. When we were younger, we used to list our resolutions, ambitiously naming our goals for the year ahead. It was a fun way to enter the New Year with energy and enthusiasm, to change unhealthy habits, to name goals we wished to achieve, and to cheer each other on as we began what felt like a marathon ahead of us.

As many of us have found with New Year’s resolutions, you can start off fresh and full of zest, but the energy will wane over time. And then, guilt and shame can zap our stamina even further. After a while, we might drop out of the marathon altogether.

So our tradition has evolved into something much simpler. As we talk, we listen for a word that resonates with us, which we can carry into the year. This year, a word she mentioned became my word, and a word I said became her word. We’ll hold onto those words for as long as we need them to help us on the journey. If we drop them later on, no worries, no guilt or shame. They’re there to inspire us if needed.

My word for the New Year was Presence. Being present to whatever life brings. I have some demanding things coming up in my calendar in the next few months ~ wonderful opportunities to stretch and grow. As I reflected over the holiday period on how I’d like to approach those things, I knew I didn’t want to be overcome with worry or self-doubt, as I’m prone to do. But I hadn't quite named how I do want to approach it.

The word Presence resonated with me as a way to be in the months ahead. Present to what comes my way ~ both what’s on my calendar and what I don’t know is on the horizon yet.

Literally as I was having this conversation with my sister, my youngest daughter came into the room to say she wasn’t feeling well. This began two weeks of the worst illness she’s ever had ~ prolonged high fever, racking cough, no appetite. [Thankfully, she’s nearly recovered now.] The word Presence stayed with me as we nursed her and tended to her. The word remained true, and helpful, even with this unexpected turn of events.

I suppose that’s all we can really do ~ be Present to what life brings us. Some of life we can plan in advance, and prepare for, as I’m doing now for events coming up. But there’s a whole lot of life that’s totally out of our control, completely unknown until it comes over the horizon.

We can be Present also to what helps us through ~ what gives us joy, strength, and hope, even when things aren’t going as we’d thought they would. The quiet moments I shared reading with my husband by the fire and the Christmas tree, even as we were both concerned about our feverish little one in the other room.

On New Year’s Day this year, I felt compelled to drive to a coastal spot that’s a favorite of our family’s. No one else was up for joining me on that cold January day, so I went solo. I brought a little towel with me because I had a strong urge to put my feet into the cold Atlantic.

When I arrived there, the landscape looked different than the last time I’d been there. The sea came up much higher, the waves were rough and constant. I couldn’t go to the spot I’d had in mind. Instead, I found another alcove next to a rock about the height of me, which I could lean on to steady myself while I stepped into the path of the waves, which swept over my feet again and again. I held onto that rock and felt secure and rooted, even as the water churned and frothed around me. The cold moved up my legs until I felt that delicious freshness that cold-water sea swimmers love.

The word Presence came to mind as I stood steady, supported, and secure while the waves swirled ~ an image I’m sure will stay with me for some time.

So whatever life brings you in 2024, I wish you Presence. May you be present to what comes your way, whether it’s already on your calendar or comes at you sideways. May we all be present to what gives us joy, strength, and hope even when things take a turn we didn’t expect.

Kiran

p.s. I shared a video of that cold water moment on Instagram, if you want a visual!

Journey the Psalms in 2024

I’m delighted some new subscribers have joined me to Journey the Psalms in the 2024. Due to the unforeseen circumstances over the past few weeks, this project will take a little longer than expected to get off the ground. But within the next few weeks we will begin!

Between January and November, we will go through 44 Psalms with a weekly short-form podcast and accompanying journal.

How do the Psalms speak into our lives? How can they help us get in touch with our deeper emotions, and to better understand ourselves? How can they lead us to live fuller, more honest, more authentic lives? What can they show us about who God is and who we’re invited to be in the world?

Find out more