Happy Friday, RISERS! I hope this week has been good to you. Well, we have 72 hours (at most) left in 2023. Whew…we made it. Although my year has had its challenges, I have to say that I am very blessed. I hope you will have a chance to enjoy some down time before getting back to business in 2024. Happy New Year!
Quote of the Week: “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.” –Albert Einstein
Soundtrack of Your New Year: Music is very important to all of us. Especially me, as I have a different Spotify playlist for each writing project. I just recently realized that the reason I’ve had difficulty finishing my screenplay wasn’t because I didn’t have the material. It was because I was not listening to the same music as I was when I wrote the book off of which the screenplay is based. Armed with that realization, I now hope to have my screenplay completed by the middle of the week.
When you go forward into the new year of 2024, be mindful of the music you listen to. Make sure you are equally mixing tunes that are reflective, energetic, fun, and just plain silly. If you listen to too much melancholy music, you could become depressed. I have a general rule about not listening to songs that are sad. I hate crying—and, worse, getting made fun of because I’m crying. The same goes for movies that have sad storylines.
A great way to get more exercise without even trying is to create a playlist with music that varies in its beats per minute (BPM). To get the blood flowing, try music with 150-170 BPM. Then, during your cool down, songs with 115-120 BPM will get you feeling nice and calm. When I walk my dogs, I try to walk in step to the beat of the music. It is a good way to make the idea of walking seem less boring and to make the experience more varied.
Joke of the Week: Knock, knock. Who’s there? Radio. Radio who? Radio not, it’s a new year.
The Year in Review: For the last blog of 2023, I just want to thank you for reading the tidbits of hopefully helpful information you see here each week. I have always joked about not knowing what I want to do when I grow up, and it seems that is still the case. I have had three different jobs this year: secretary at school library, church secretary, and substitute teacher. No matter what job you do, I hope that you find it fulfilling. Not every job is (or should be) only about how much money you earn. Keep in mind, though, that being able to support yourself is an absolute must. My situation affords me a little more leeway in my choice of occupation.
This year, I have had the chance to flex my writing muscles by doing this blog for RiseUP, as well as working on my book projects. In addition to the screenplay I’ve almost completed, I have written a sequel to a previous book that is more than halfway finished. I released a devotional for teachers/administrators, reminding them why they became teachers. I also created a general outline for my devotional for children (and adult children) from divorced families. My sister is assisting me with this one, in hopes of working through the trauma she still carries after all of these years.
On the family front, my children are in various stages of their lives—from seventh grade to college student to married for over a year. We’ve had a blast. My husband started two new jobs this year: he works at the University of Tennessee Knoxville and also leads the music for our church. It seems that neither one of us is content doing just one thing. We have lost four family members, one on my husband’s side of the family and three on mine. Although life must carry on, dealing with the grief and the hole from those missing is a daunting task.
This coming year, as the slate becomes brand new, I’ve resolved not to make any pesky New Year’s resolutions. For one thing, I feel like a total failure the first time I mess it up. Instead, I’m going to write down things I do well and see how I can expand on them in the coming year. I’m going to focus on devoting more energy to kindness, understanding, generosity, smiles, and hugs. These are all things the world needs more of…and I know that you have them in buckets, so I invite you to do the same. I have always found that a positive outlook is helpful in having a good experience. So, go forth, friends, and let’s make 2024 one of the best years ever!
Recipe of the Week: Instead of a recipe, I thought I’d share an idea for food that your family and friends could enjoy at home on New Year’s Eve. Whether your gathering will be just family or will also include friends, it’s easy and fun to make a dessert fondue. All you need to get started is a bag of your favorite chocolate chips (melted slowly in either a microwave or saucepan, with frequent stirring) and a variety of fresh fruit in bite-sized pieces. Fruit that works best includes pineapple, grapes, barely ripe bananas, strawberries, and other large berries. For greater variety, you can add mandarin orange slices, pear wedges, melons, and sweet breads. To make it a complete meal, you could also dip crusty breads and vegetables into a cheese fondue. I will share recipes for more delicious things to eat in 2024…
Shout Out of the Week: This week, I want to give a shout out to all of you who are faithful to support RiseUP Cooperative and read the blog. Thank you for having a heart for teens and the other precious ones who are supported, encouraged, and strengthened by this nonprofit. Happy New Year!
Have a great weekend. Remember, you are most awesome, and YOU ROCK!
Marion Rhines is a foster-turned-adoptive parent. She lives in Knoxville, Tenn., with her husband and five children. She has written and published two children’s books as well as two foster-care-themed novels. She has a Facebook blog, Tips from the FLIP Side, and enjoys working with children of all ages.
