I slept through the turning of the New Year, but woke this morning well before the promise of a sun’s light that has yet to break through the grey drip of rain outside my window. There was no celebratory toast at midnight, nor the watching of a silver orb dropping from the sky. Instead, 2024 passed into 2025 rather quietly. The evening spent with my husband and college-age son watching a film and eating takeout sushi before I retired with my head cold to an early bed.
Inevitably, there were moments of reflection as the years turned into each other. And one word, in particular, taking root in the firmament of my being. “Determination.” A few days ago, while driving home from the dealership where my husband’s car had undergone maintenance, bold white letters on a green billboard drew my gaze away from the night road. “Start Building Your Sanctuary Today.”
It was a sign. Literally and symbolically. I seized upon its blatant command with, well, determination. I have not made a list of resolutions, but one singular objective has carried me through 2024 into 2025, and that is to find and start building my sanctuary. I am trusting, with determination, that this will be the year that the land presents itself to me and we begin to build our contract with each other. I trust because I have learned that when something like this grabs ahold of your consciousness with such steadfast determination, it will not give up until it is realized.
In the midst of a world that feels very much in a state of global upheaval, I am looking forward to planting the seeds of connection in a sanctuary that will, one day, be open to all.
I wonder what word, or words, are pulling others into this new year? What impetuous is driving you forward into another turning of the calendar?

Thrive! That is MY WORD for 2025
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What a fabulous word! Love it! Here’s to thriving! 🥂
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I feel there is change afoot, but I don’t know what it means for me.
But sanctuary seems like a good goal–happy new year Alethea! (K)
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Change, universally, also feels afoot. I hope it is a good change for us all. It will likely have growth pains…but that is what drives me to create a sanctuary. That you for the good wishes. I hope your year brings welcome changes.
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Thanks Alethea.
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So many changes ahead I feel “sanctuary” sounds like a good plan, Alethea for me a good change is growth and space I am developing my garden and my mind to make room for growth in both …Happy new Year Alethea I wish you peace and good health for 2025 and beyond ❤
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Thank you, Carol. I think growing the garden inside and out is always a wonderful endeavor. I hope you have a year filled with beautiful blooms. 💕
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I think to be positive always in this new year 🎊
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That is a worth endeavor. 💕
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🙂
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Wishing you all the best for this new year Alethea!
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Thank you, Andrea. I hope you have a wonderful new year too!
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that sounds like the perfect plan ❤️
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I’m glad you thinks so 😀
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I love your vision of planting the seeds of connection in a sanctuary…. I would like to create a sanctuary in and around my home. I also want to prioritize carefully how I want to spend my time and energy.
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I love your beautiful (shared) vision too. I hope we will both start creating our sanctuaries this year.
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