Thinking about my goals for the new year makes me crouch in my seat when I should sit up straight proud because I got there

my brain BURSTS mulling over ANY AND EVERY GOAL so I take this time to look at them as a WHOLE

What do I have to do to complete this puzzle piece that is comprised of EVERY SINGLE GOAL

Being CONFIDENT and PROUD of what I have done should give me all the reason to continue to strive for SUCCESS this season

There is truly no reason why 2024 can NOT be a BREAKTHROUGH season

As I invision proceeding and SUCCEEDING in life the reason I haven’t had my break through moment is easy

My potential is like the AIR you can NEVER have too much to spare

I don’t dare to prepare to jump into the limit-LESS air BUT I am AFRAID of that STARE or smile that will inevitably be there (at least according to ME) to COMPARE

If I dare to run the race that is LIFE and I WIN I will FOREVER WONDER if crossing that finish line FIRST was FAIR

I think about EVERYONE ELSE who CAN be there

Most certainly the guy with the limp is NOT supposed to be there (or so MYSELF thinks)

But I tell myself if I do NOT run the race (LIFE) like I BELONG it will only be UN-used air and WASTED air just means in the end I did NOT care and I MYSELF CARE

So in 2024 I DARE to jump INTO MY limit-LESS AIR!

was my resolution for this year,
at least the most public-facing
awkward disheartening and uninspiring
response, painfully clipped for the
question that I dreaded
and hoped to avoid.
Giving glitz to my hopefully mundane Monday
sitting in my dad’s living room
for the only holiday we promised to him year after year
secretly too excited for the celebratory sips…
and every one in-between
Listening to his fiancée excitedly answer
this question for herself with pristine palatable promise
teaching her graduate classes staying true to herself
and making measurable progress
I…was desperately shying away from this year.
Cowering in the reality of all the
time that had passed. Running from the
truth that now another graduating class
could toast its glass
and the word “just” had to retire in a tired slink
before I scramble to explain the limbo
of “What’s going on with me?”
Lagging, lacking, looking
I was supposed to, so supposedly set up for
so much, so many saw and swore I’d soar
like the bubbles in my drink
Now nothing.
While I dared not utter it
and draw attention to my unimpressive flailing
My true hope for this year, was for an end to the waiting
To begin my life and actual Post-Grad Living and
wake up excited instead of no more than
at peace with how I’m living,
with kind of valid work connected
somewhat to what I enjoy doing
To be able to picture the future. Being able to see something
Sometimes it feels like it symbolizes no
longer existing
But this year I will walk away certified
learn the law of language and the art of icing
and placate the inner child
who sought peace these last few months
In the most mundane of things,
an opportunity to dress in costume,
a sip of boba tea, the chorus of a musical piece
My goal for this year is to see the other end
to thrive, reminisce on the strife and how impatient
I was for a change in my life
chuckle lightly about my dramatic theatrics
And relish in the fact that after all,
I survived

Another 1st of the year
Another round of
“”resolution-ists’ bullshit”

Another set..of another pair..
Of numbers.

No, no. No more numbers.
Just the year of
The More and The Less-es.
The Simples.

more kitchen ballet dances.
less quiet cries.
more lyrics that get ya
less of the ones
that were used..
simply to manipulate
you.
more ‘look how far we’ve come’ s
less ‘i’m supposed to be so much further’ s
More of the simply Simples.

More–
“i’m sorry i hurt you.”
“i’m here if you wanna talk.”
“we can get through this.”
“how can i help?”
“it’s gonna get better.”
“thanks for having my back.”
“i got you–always.”
“you’re stuck with me..”
“–promise?”
Always.

–xoxo A

The expectations I set forth
Will allow me to light the torch
To a productive and successful 2024
Far beyond my imagination
This is the year of fulfillment
This is the year of new beginnings
This is the year that my consistency pays off
This is the year my dreams are my reality
My destiny awaits
I cherish the days of people saying
I always knew you would
I always knew you were talented
Not that I need the recognition
But I would be grateful that they were paying attention
I’m ready to enjoy the talent I was blessed with
Sharing it with the masses
I’m ready for my creativity to be heard
As well as read in the pages of my 1st poetry book
1 of my biggest goals this year
Is to release a body of work
That represents me before I turn 40
This is the year
This is the year I dreamt of
This is the year that it all happens
Ain’t nothing going to stop me but me
That’s why this is the year of endless possibilities!

This is it Ralph
You’ve been gone for a while but it’s time to reappear
The pressure is all around you
Are you going to give in to the doubt?
Let the fear interfere?
Make excuses for yourself like you’ve done so for years,
As you sit back and watch your inner demons steer
Or are you finally going to take back wheel,
Show the world and make things clear
Of Ralph’s resilience, who he really is, and why he’s here
The choices you’ve made and the choices in sight,
Are the two factors in the equation that you call your life
What have you done,
And what will you do with this story you write?
What visions do you see? Any pinnacles you’ll reach?
What mountains will you climb? What goals do you strive,
To accomplish in the physical as well as ones that are deep inside?
A year from today, what achievements do you hope to provide?

I’d have learned to break the shackles I’m confined,
To within the cage of my mind
To stop looking at the past and start paving a new path,
Of leaving an impact
To use my God given talent, and not stand on the sidelines
To walk outside the lines,
Of my comfort where I often reside
I will find a way to better coexist,
With the inner demons that lie,
Within me
I’d have learned to break the shackles I’m confined,
To within the cage of my mind
To stop looking at the past and start paving a new path,
Of leaving an impact
To use my God given talent, and not stand on the sidelines
To walk outside the lines,
Of my comfort where I often reside
I will find a way to better coexist,
With the inner demons that lie,
Within me
I will learn new things
Learn new places
Learn new limits, and exceed old ones
This year
I will keep my eyes set on the big dream
I will keep it alive
The blinding lights
The deafening rumble of the speakers all around the venue
Roaring out the words I’ve woven together
Looking out at hundreds,
Thousands,
Simultaneously doing the same
Simultaneously healing any pain,
We may have been going through
But for now
For this year,
I’ll release the music that hundreds,
Thousands,
Will choose to overlook
With words that will roar out speakers,
of the most most humble venue
My room
Knowing all this,
I will still release the music
Solely,
Because I want to
Because I need to.
This year
I’ll learn hope
I’ll learn perseverance
I’ll learn discipline
I’ll learn growth
I’ll learn patience
I’ll learn success
I’ll learn those,
And I’ll learn me

I’ve seen your fight, and you’ve fought well
This next one is a little different
But I can tell,
You have what it takes
You must get out your shell
Do everything you said you will
Dust yourself off, get out that imaginary cell
Stick to your gut, and you will prevail
Make the tears worth it
Make the world see
Go ahead and put the work in,
And the people will soon enough believe

Thank you for having this talk with me
Or rather, with yourself
Afterall,
You are me, and I am you
The thing is, you know me
But I can’t know you unless I live the rest of my life,
The same exact way you have

You’re right
But unfortunately,
I’m unable to give you more, and our time is up
Don’t worry
You just proved to me you have everything you need
I hope that one day you can come back,
And view these words as me
If you can do that,
That’s when you’ll know

Know what?

You’ll see
Farewell Ralph,
From here on out you’ll need to turn it up a few gears
Everything you want:
It all,
Starts,
This,
Year.

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR TWENTY TWENTY FOUR?

Well, how about this…
To take all the things that are happening, and the things that actually happened, and then acknowledge the teachings that they are revealing, and reflect everyday, every experience you’ve observed, utilizing reachable goals or ambitions, like, learning a language, and acknowledging opportunities given, or actively offering gratitude or appreciation, and learning something for our routine that will train the ways that we experience everything, even negativity, to teach yourself the ways that we thrive through these waves will take the willpower that’s within, to then work towards the world that we want to watch evolve within eachothers worlds, then, to witness everyone experiencing new things that you’d find outside of usual realities.

So what’s my goals for the new year?
To learn why I’ve been getting these life lessons and why life has blessed them, to start meditating daily, para aprender más español, to see the offered opportunities as a port of unity that can help transform the views I see and want to see, to show gratitude for the small things in life, and appreciate all that life has to offer, to get disciplined with a healthy daily routine of eating and sleeping, and to start revealing the new styles of writing I’ve been blessed to find while trying to realign my mind, this poetry of acronyms that I like to call aftonyms, or aftonymbles, which is aftons scrambled acronyms, which is how i answered this question in the previous paragraph, and to hopefully inspire someone to try it as well. Also to sell atleast 100 of my books of poems called Poetic Diabetic, and to finish my second one called Aftonyms.

Thank you for reading, and I hope you have a beautiful year!

My only major goal for this year: be my most authentic self. I am embarking on a journey of self-discovery. To accomplish this goal, I have set minor goals such as taking sewing classes, going to the gym, learning aerial silks, and so on. I’ve come to understand that experience is indeed the best educator. Last year, I went ziplining for the first time. Having a fear of heights, I was not expecting to enjoy it. I let everyone go before me until I had no other choice. My terror quickly turned into excitement as I went speeding down the line. Sideways, upside down, spinning in circles, and posing for pictures, I found another piece of my puzzle. I realized how much life I had not lived. The last five years of my twenties will be dedicated to unlocking parts of myself. Letting myself be free. That is what I am most excited about.

My mind as the farmer, and, my body as the land…This year, we both get a break; It is my fallow year. I’ve spent years planning, sewing, praying for rain, and harvesting my crops; moving through life as if it were a check off list to turn in once completed. I, like soil, am depleted. I will meet the weather patterns with ease, knowing I don’t depend on the rain. This year, I am a plot of land going untouched. I am reclaiming rest, remembering- it is work. I am gifting myself time to get back to my organic matter. I will accept the pauses that come along with the fallow; unlike lost income- my health cannot be replaced. I trust with time, the earth will replenish my soil. I will welcome each sunrise, simply grateful to see another day. I will accept droughts, floods, pests, and the scorching summer heat. This year, I will move slowly, breaking the cycles one season at a time.

In 2024, I am believing in myself more—
feeling better than before,
with steady faith to stay the course.

Keeping commitments—despite conditions
—to what I truly care about;
keeping clarity of focus on the vision,
leaving no room for doubt.

I am stabilizing my foundation,
standing firm in what I know to be true.
I am focused on full self adoration—
to see myself the way my loved ones do.

I am acknowledging and appreciating
all of my accomplishments,
as I paint the path—concentrating,
maintaining my confidence.

I can promise me, from this point on,
whatever I do, I will do it purposely.
When I feel low, I’ll sing self love songs
with relief, and remember the worth in me…

because, in 2024, I am leaning toward
feeling better than before—
moving forever forward.

Be here now. In the breath of the wind. In the rainbows of the sunset. In the expressions walking across stranger’s faces.

Be here fully. In the complexities of thought. In the vastness of space. In the smells from the kitchen.

Be here lovingly. In the softness of forgiveness. In the gentleness of joy. A hug, not a bow.

Time running out is such a gift; and this gift is a privilege to be alive for.

Dark nights of the soul can be so convincing. Let this soften me.

Let this remind me-

Hope paints strokes of colors on the horizon
When the rest of the world is dark

All for us
Inexplicable beauty
The fade-
so subtle
While the deep red keeps hanging on
The higher we rise, the longer the colors last

An ode to keep chasing sunsets
To go through life with eyes wide open
Welcoming light and chasing great heights
For this day…
Is a reminder of hope
Even the darkest depths of the sky

Let me live life deeply.