IWSG & Starting Over

The beginning of a new year brings familiarity - reflections of the previous year, thoughts about the new year, what we did or didn't do, and so on.

For many years, I looked at this time as a chance to start over, to begin the race again and to see if I could apply lessons learned from last year to improve my performance this year. But as I've aged, I've found myself wondering if it's possible to truly start over. It's not like my past experiences leave me just because another January comes around. I highly doubt the heartaches I've endured will ever leave me. And I know the joys and happy times are my fuel to forge ahead. The past is like our fog. It's in the background and not focused on, but it's always there in one form or another. It's what has journeyed us to this here and now. Starting over implies that all we did wasn't worth anything, and that is not true.

It's all part of us, and I say each part is priceless. 

The turn of another calendar year gives us a chance to consciously examine our accomplishments, failures, hopes, and struggles, but it doesn't negate our past. Each segment of our past is a stepping stone to our next adventure to learn, grow, and become. I'll just leave you with this to ponder.

***I apologize for being MIA the past six weeks or so. I'll write about it soon. Just wanted to say 'thanks' for sticking around.

I'd like to thank this month's IWSG co-hosts  Patricia Lynne, Lisa Buie-Collard, Kim Lajevardi, and Fundy Blue for being so cool!

Here's the optional IWSG question for this month:

What are your favorite and least favorite questions people ask you about your writing?

I'll start with my least favorite because that's easy - What is the favorite book you've written?

Aw, awesome readers! There's so much about each book, story, and manuscript that I love and hate at the same time. This question is like asking me to choose a favorite child. I love them all. Of course, at one time each frustrated me to no end, too. It's a love-hate relation. ;) 

Participants

I like sharing my writing journey with others in hopes that it will encourage them to keep at whatever they desire to do in their hearts. That would be my answer to my favorite question of How did you get published?

Feel free to answer either of my questions!