Amy M. Schaefer
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From the Front Porch

I am an "accidental blogger". When I launched my writing career in March of 2014, one of the things that I decided to include was my journaling, which I have always found to be a comforting and therapeutic endeavor.  It was a big risk to open myself up in such a public forum, but it has taught me that, for the most part, we share far more experiences than we think. It's comforting to know I'm not alone!  (*the "Button Text" is the link to my first novel)
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Day Fifty-five: Pointing my Compass in the Right Direction

12/26/2014

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"It doesn't matter if it's a relationship, a lifestyle, or a job. If it doesn't make you happy, let it go." ~curiano.com

I'm not a New Year's Resolution making kind of girl. For one, I know I won't stick with them if I did make them. And two, New Year's Resolutions make me feel like I am locked in this cycle of change that only comes along once a year, when I think we should be open to change at any given moment. Not that change is easy...it can and usually is extremely difficult and I frequently have to be dragged into kicking and screaming, but I think it is necessary if we wish to truly live a happy life. Breaking cycles of bad habits is healthy. Getting rid of things and/or relationships that aren't good for us is healing. Cleaning the dusty bones of skeletons out of our closets removes stale doubts, fears and mistakes from our lives. Living a life that is in a constant flux of change can be extremely disconcerting, but I'm learning how to embrace it and adjust my balance to suit whatever transformations occur.

Some years ago, my husband began the tradition of naming each new year, and I've become a staunch fan of this "theme-setting" idea. I like having a direction for the 365 days that are stretched out ahead of me. This year was dubbed "A Fresh Start" and I can think of at least a hundred big and little ways it has applied to 2014. Some of them were painful, but all have rippled like a stone dropped into a lake with positive benefits that spread out over the days they touched. At midnight this New Year's Eve, I will be the one choosing the name of the year to come for the first time. I've been thinking about it for weeks and am very excited! In the hours, days and months of 2015, I intend to remain focused on the "theme"...one thing, layered over top of all others, to give me guidance and clear direction. May your final weekend of 2014 be a memorable one (...although no phoning me for bail money). As for a "new year, new me" mentality...yeah, I don't think so. I'm just getting to know the current, REAL me. I won't be trading her in for a new one, although I might just add more body art to her flesh (...the picture above is high on the tattoo possibility list).

*Compass from jlewis0293.wordpress.com.

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    About The Author

    I grew up in rural North Carolina. When I was only nineteen, I moved away and became a military wife. My only aspiration at that tender time in my life was to create an adult life that "fixed" all of the "injustices" of my childhood. Secretly, however, I wanted to reach for the sky! I wanted to be a writer and find ways to "save the world" (my mother used to say, "You have Save the World Syndrome".). Mostly, I wanted to matter.

    Since then, I have learned to reach well beyond what I ever dared to think was possible. I've learned not to allow fear to stop me from whatever future I want to create!

    What keeps me grounded? My Tribe! What provides the wind beneath my wings? A well of reserves filled with unstoppable passion!

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  • Amy M. Schaefer, Writer
  • Blog: From the Front Porch
  • Novels
  • Short Stories
    • Children's Books
  • About the Author
  • Contact
  • Photo & Art Gallery