Well another year has flown by. Did it go faster or am I just realizing more how a minute passed is never retrieved and there’s less of them ahead of me than behind? Whatever the case, we’re at a new year.

On any number of fronts it was an escalating year of chaos and fluctuation. War and strife, money markets, health and food sources, and weather seemed to be front and center most every day. These issues were most often on the negative side of our concerns and news reports – and not without cause and importance. If we focused on just those issues we should have had cause to be greatly affected by them.

But, those topics are only part of the overall picture. Life is continuing on. We’re getting together with people again after the long 2 years of limited interaction. There are neighbors, families and longtime friends who are still there and welcome a visit or conversation. Longtime and past clients welcome us to their homes for a meal and relationship. Babies are being born and the cycle of living continues. The spirit of life and purpose our Creator placed within us is not being squelched (although many would like it to be).

So I hope we continue on with what is on each of our plates. We can’t fix everything, and I often find I’m not that good at distinguishing between all the needs around calling for attention and what’s my individual (and family) responsibility. But one thing is certain, I will only be accountable for what was given to me – not for the assets or actions of someone else. May I be able to look back another year from now and see progress in running the race well – and a part of that being that I’m well on my way with the studio upgrades. (Why do I keep hearing a rolling can?)