by Noella Noelophile®
(Royalty-free image by b13923790 from Pixabay.)
The ball drops in Times Square. People cheer, sing and sway.
Rose Parade® floats roll in Pasadena. Equestrians high-step. Bands showcase their best talents.
And all of us turn a new page, mentally, in our lives. It’s 2024!
What are your goals and dreams for the New Year?
As we keep the glow of Christmas going, the world has never needed light and festivity more than it does today.
This started out to be a post about where you can still see and experience those.
(Photo courtesy of SolvangUSA.com, and used with permission.)
Like Solvang Julefest, for example, which continues with their daily light and music show and hidden nisser (gnomes) through next Saturday, Twelfth Night, January 6th.
Or L.A. Zoo Lights, whose “Animals Aglow” spectacular, with its new “Winter Wildlands” feature, continues through next Sunday, January 7th.
(Photo courtesy of Winter Fest OC, and used with permission.)
Or perhaps Winter Fest OC, where visitors can ice tube, ice skate and enjoy some breathtaking light displays (not to mention the resident yeti!), also through next Sunday, January 7th.
But now that I’ve mentioned those, a quick browse through social media brought home something important.
The power of our words.
(Royalty-free image by Larisa Koshkina from Pixabay.)
One person, on social media today, mentioned how much good wishes would mean to them. Another thanked those who have used words of encouragement while navigating some turbulent times.
And I recalled a class I took, a couple of years ago.
I just couldn’t seem to master the new technology, although the subject–Unity game design–was one that completely captivated me.
On a Zoom call with the teacher for extra help, I was ready to hear, “It’s time to give up. This is just not for you.”
Except–that’s not what he said.
In the middle of a step-by-step demo of the process that had me baffled, he stopped.
“I want to commend you. You’re one of the better students.”
Huh?!?
(Royalty-free image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay.)
You guessed it. I was never going to drop the class, after that!
And yes, the process that had had me baffled, finally began to make sense.
Two short sentences changed my whole perspective.
What are the words that have shaped your life, in positive ways? What are the words you’ve used, that have done that in others’ lives?
And how do we use them together, as a source of light, as all of us go forward into 2024?
(Royalty-free image by kirill_makes_pics from Pixabay.)
Happy New Year! May your 2024 be filled with light, festivity and a chance to uplift and encourage others, through your words and creative gifts.