Friday, December 31, 2010

Auld Lang Syne

The end of another year has come to a close -- and the question is -- am I sorry to see it go?

No.

Now most of us on the blogs this morning are talking about what we did last year. I've never been a look-behind-me kind of gal. Whenever I left a job I never went back to hang out with friends. Whenever I broke up with a guy, I never thought about going back to him. Moved out of a house, never went back to the old neighborhood. Once it's done, it's over.

Same thing with the old year. It's done, it's over, it's past, it's behind me. (Well, technically at 12:01 a.m. E.S.T.)

So why would I want to look back at it? Okay, okay, I'll admit it, I did look. I'm very proud of all the accomplishments I've achieved. The biggest being I built a fence. Yeah, not about the writing, the queries, the requests -- it's all about the fence.

You see, that fence represented my new life here in North Carolina. Now mind you, I've been here 3 years. However, the first year I spent in bed. (Bad bad accident, nothing to be done about it, had to suffer through it). I promised my old dog I would build a fence so she could have the whole yard to roam around in. I started it, but didn't finish it until this year. And when I finished it, my old dog was so sick, she couldn't enjoy it and I had to put her down. (See now why I don't look back.)

That fence was my symbol, my lifeline, my guiding light. When that fence was complete, I felt my life would have come full circle. Both ends would be closed. The old life, my old life, would be outside the circle. Monster Baby (and the dogs) and I would live quietly within the circle. Like a great big mandala keeping out the bad stuff. And we have.

Believe me it hasn't been easy, but we've gotten to the end of the year. And that's that. It's over.

So what am I going to do now? Look forward. What else is there to do? I can't beat myself up over all the things I didn't do, accomplish, achieve. Serves no earthly purpose. So I'll look forward.

And that my dear ones, is what I wish for you this brand new year -- look forward. Don't look back. Sure, review it if it makes you feel better, but don't dwell on what you didn't do, look back on what you did. You may surprise yourself at all you've accomplished without even meaning to.

Happy New Year! May you all find joy, love, and lots of happiness!

19 comments:

Melissa Gill said...

Great post Anne. I'm not one to look back myself. Great job finishing your fence and great analogy. Hope you and Monster Baby have a Happy New Year.

Shelley Sly said...

I like the analogy of the fence, and congratulations on finishing it and on all else that you have accomplished this year! Wishing you the best in 2011! Happy New Year!

notesfromnadir said...

Have a wonderful 2011 -- may you give & receive much kindness! :) Oh, & here's wishing to your successful quest for an agent & publisher.

The Words Crafter said...

I'm terribly sorry about the dog...but I do understand the fence and I'm glad you have it. I've drawn circles around myself before and it's part of what kept me from coming unhinged.

It was a hard year, and I'm glad it's over. But there were many good things in it...I met all of you.

*raising a glass* Here's to a new and better year for all of us!

Unknown said...

Hi Anne
Great post - non-fence
Hope you have a happy and successful New Year.

Anne R. Allen said...

I'm all about looking forward, too. I second your comment on my blog--this is going to be OUR year.

I like the idea of making a circle of safety around yourself and your family. A fine accomplishment for 2010.

Anne Gallagher said...

Thank you everyone! I agree, meeting all of you has been the BEST part of 2010!

*raises my glass*

Here's to you!!!

Unknown said...

A wonderful thought to begin the new year with.

Elliot Grace said...

...wonderful post, Anne. Never look back. Keep striving, reaching always and forever for those goals.

Be safe and merry as the ball drops this evening:)
EL

Linda G. said...

I'm a forward-looking gal, too. May 2011 bring you all the best. :)

Roland D. Yeomans said...

I agree with you, Anne. If looking back would allow us to slip in and change things ... well, maybe.

Yet, in another sense, we are a meld of all we have passed through. Our souls are cockle burrs picking up the damnedest things as we move along each day.

In quite possibly the worst Star Trek movie ever made, Captain Kirk is offered to have his most painful memories wiped away -- and he shouts (Shatner style, of course) "No! I need my pain. My pain makes me who I am."

So I try to take the lessons learned from my past pains with me, hopefully not to repeat them again! LOL.

You are quite wise, Anne. Look forward. Act in the only moment alloted us : now.

Have a blessed, healing New Year, Roland

February Grace said...

I just posted something set to go up at midnight that's a much shorter expression of the same sentiment- no looking back on 2010 for me. I survived it- moving on. . .

Hope 2011 is a wonderful year for you, Anne. Thank you for being such a great, warm, strong and brilliant presence in the writerly blogosphere!

hugs
bru

Terry Towery said...

Happy New Year's, Anne! Let's not look back together. :)

dolorah said...

I do have a few accomplishments to look back on, not all of them writing related. So many things went well for me in both my day job and writing aspirations, than I have to look back to see where I need to go forward to next. Life is learning experience.

But when it comes to things over and done with that were the right decisions at the time they were made but may not have turned out as expected, I'm all for not looking back.

All in all, 2010 was pretty good to me, if not always in the way wished for. I have high hopes for 2011.

I'm hoping 2011 is good to you Anne. Get through it all, move forward, and remember give yourself due praise when it is warranted (such as the fence).

Happy New Year Anne.

........dhole

Paul C said...

I like the idea of the fence enclosing what is truly precious, like a cocoon; that's a good thing. My daughter has a terrier who loves to go to the dog park in the middle of the city. It is totally enclosed, secure, to run with madness, frolic with other dogs...as your enclosure provides. Happy new year and best wishes!

Bossy Betty said...

Thanks for the reminder to look ahead!!!

Hope your New Year is a wonderful one!

adam.purple said...

Best wishes looking forward.

Anonymous said...

I do remember you blogging about that fence. That finishin it was a big accomplishment. I recall you have a lot to be proud of but I love your thoughts on not looking back at any door that you've walked through and closed behind you. Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year to you too. Peace, health, prosperity and more. I'm thinking big big big thoughts for 2011.