The Brains and the Heart

We have the brains and the heart to face our futures bravely. Taking responsibility for the time we take up and the space we occupy.

Maya Angelou wrote that in her book Letter to my Daughter, in the context of national spirit and being courteous and courageous well-meaning Americans. I like that context, but I'm also using the line more broadly as my sort-of Inspirational Phrase for the new year. I believe that resolutions should be realistic, and that we should own them, in that we really want to, and believe we can, achieve them. I think it was three years ago that I resolved to stop biting my nails, a lifelong bad habit for me. I succeeded. Then, two years ago I resolved to submit a children's book manuscript to some publishers and also to save up for a Martin guitar. Check and check! (I sent my story to about 10 publishers and got as many rejection letters, FYI. But I achieved my goal and had fun doing it, learned a little and may someday try again. The guitar resolution was probably more fun, seeing as that beautiful gal is sitting next to me in her case this very moment.) Empowered by two years of accomplished resolutions, I tried to make some last year. But even as I wrote them down, I knew that I did not own them. I did, however, own some words. CALM and ENERGY became my words of the year. I'm not sure how it happened, the words just spoke to me and stayed at the forefront of my mind the entire year, reminding me and directing me. And now, as I have tried to think of fresh resolutions the past few weeks, I have not come up with any that I really believe in. I mean, there are things I desperately want to do, but they are vague, like Eat healthier foods and Be more organized. Specific goals did not settle in my heart and mind. But, after finishing Maya's book last night and realizing that one line kept running through my head, I am officially declaring, not a new year's resolution, but a Quote of 2009. "We have the brains and the heart to face our futures bravely. Taking responsibility for the time we take up and the space we occupy." I look forward to any results, encouragement and inspiration it brings. I don't yet know what it means to me, but I know it means something. A good friend of mine, who I keep in touch with mainly through e-mail and who reads this blog and hopefully knows it was her, once wrote to me "You are strong and capable." I don't remember the context, but it stuck with me and continues to build momentum in my mind and affirm me. I repeat it to other women now and then, especially when they're going into labor. I think that we women need to hear these things, that we are Strong and Capable, that we have the Brains and the Heart to accomplish our goals and the goals we don't even know we have.

2008 was good and important. I moved. I turned thirty. In 2009 I will celebrate my 10th wedding anniversary. Stella will turn five and start kindergarten. Each year is a new circle in the spiral of life (it's complicated, but that's how I picture Time.) May we take responsibility for our time and space and have a whole and beautiful New Year! Happy to you.