A NEW YEAR 👑
A TIME FULL OF PROMISE OR JUST MORE OF THE SAME OLD?
“True Love cannot be found where it does not exist, nor can it be denied where it does.” — Torquato Tasso
My year 2023 ended with the worst pain one can imagine. It ended with the pain of betrayal, the pain of being lied to, and worse. I will spare you the ugly details but it was so bad that I stooped to saying things I would normally never say. I cannot even say that I truly regret my words as it is in quite a blur and they were spoken from excruciating pain, frustration, and anger - not the best advisors. That does not make it right though and I did not recognise or like myself in that situation.
The last few weeks of 2023 have been a roller coaster that has cost me a lot. I felt heartbroken and shattered, leaving me with an inner sadness that at first, I felt I could not recover from. I was in emotional and physical pain. Don’t get me wrong, I am not looking for pity or even understanding as I know I will come out of this stronger than ever and have probably even dodged a bullet. The bullet would have most likely just caused more pain. I had sworn to myself to judge people not by their words but only by their actions that follow those words and in this one case I failed miserably and paid the price. I fell for beautiful words that proved to have absolutely no meaning whatsoever.
People who know me know that I do not do New Year’s Resolutions and I have no intention of changing that now. My resolutions come at any time of the year and I made several at the end of the last year.
I decided that starting now and that the new year would be a time full of promise, full of hope, full of joy, and full of love. I have decided to never let my light be dimmed again by people who do not see my worth and make it a sport to put me down. I have decided to surround myself with people who care, whom I can rely on, and who follow through as I am willing to do for people I love and care for.
“I don't believe in New Year's resolutions. I think if you want to change something, change it today and don't wait until the New Year.” — Georgina Bloomberg
It may all sound naive considering what this world has come to and what is going on around us. Don’t get me wrong, I see it all and I will most certainly be writing about it again in the course of the year.
2024 will be a year of growth and self-reflection for me as well as more kindness toward myself, and I would like to take you on that journey with me once in a while if I may.
Having said this, I have also decided that my newsletter is once again changing and evolving. Since I started this journey of writing, I have been quite consistent in sending out a letter every Friday. This will change and I will write when I feel it is right and not be sticking to a strict schedule. I hope you will stay with me despite or even for the changes I am making and I very much look forward to where it will take me.
And some things will never change, my deep love for music and poetry…
“And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been.” — Rainer Maria Rilke
🎶My Song for you
A brilliant song by the legendary Eric Clapton - I Can’t Stand It
For more good music, go to this Spotify playlist where you can find all the songs from the Change & Evolve Letters!
📚My Poem for you
Is a Blessing by John O’Donohue (1956-2008), which I find beautiful and wanted to share with you.
To Come Home To Yourself
May all that is unforgiven in you, Be released. May your fears yield Their deepest tranquilities. May all that is unlived in you, Blossom into a future, Graced with love.
👀Impression
Taken from the car when driving my son back to Innsbruck…
My new year started with friends and tango, laughing and enjoying good company - a great way to start a new year!
I do hope you had an amazing start to yours as well and I wish you health, prosperity, and love. See it as a time full of promise and hope and not the same old that does not serve you.
Let me know how you started your new year in the comments or send me a message. I very much enjoy hearing from you.
Wishing you a wonderful day.
Yours
Tanja 🤗
It's interesting thinking back to your posts about narcissism - as I read between the lines. I was only talking the other day about the fact that you would think that with age, life gets easier, but there are always events that come to shake us and challenge us. Trust that this year brings true hope and joy.
Ein Frohes neues Jahr und viel Erfolg bei allen Vorhaben!