Have you ever read the same book but a different story, there’s a saying for that phenomenon
I just finished my Saturday morning coffee and chocolate chip muffin complimented by my current read
It’s that time of the year again Deja Vu
So, I pull out my pen and begin to write about how to become a better version of you
I didn’t fully comprehend what I thought knew
This year I’m going to do something new
Looking in the mirror but only seeing half of me
I lost myself living as person three, instead of the main character
It’s time to take back all of my identity
Completing every goal this year but first let’s focus on the top three

Number 1. I’ll start by losing weight
Burning the off calories procrastination added
It’s easier to run to your goals when you sculpt the weight around your waist
The time is now, why wait
You don’t want to be late to your dreams
So, go ahead and book that first trip you’ve been planning for the last 2 years

Number 2. I want to travel more
Travel to the past so I can better see my future
A frequent flyer because I was too focused on yesterday
Now these miles are just lessons learned
A frequent flyer because growth is my meditation
If you ever want to get somewhere fast it’s better to slow down
Speeding will only get you a $300 ticket you don’t have the money for

Number 3. I want to be better financially
Health is wealth or so they say and last year I was broke
Broken heart, shattered mind, but you can still see yourself in a cracked mirror if you choose to
Today I choose you, reciting my daily affirmations
Self-care is one of the best ways to say I love you
Learn to say I do to the future you
Investing in yourself pays more than your 9-5
You will be tired
But that just makes it easier to sleep with your day dreams

Ignore the world the same way they hit snooze
Wake up early, aim high, then reach higher
My goals are only one page turn away
So, stop judging my cover before you read my book
If you simply read the preface, you might begin to understand the trails I’ve faced
This book is about the evolution of me
You don’t have to read it, but you will respect my art the same way I cover myself with peace
p.s. these are my goals for leaving 2023…

note to self:

stay true to your art
this year. embrace this new month,
january, as

a slab of marble.
you are michelangelo.
use the tools of your

trade to remove its
icy facade: chisel, carve,
sculpt. be relentless

in your pursuit to
create. choose to flip the switch
on your hard hat and

enter the mine of
inspiration daily. dig
for jewels of words, gems

of metaphors, and
pearls of wisdom that others
overlook. it’s all

there waiting for you,
waiting to be found, unearthed,
and brought to daylight.

yours, in every sense of the word,
ali

Eyes open and there’s my smile.
I’m alive and I made it.
Lord, thank you for seeing me through.
12 more months to create internal joy and more self love.
I’m doing that!

Is that the sun shining ?
Sure as hell is, and it’s 2024.
Clap clap because, It’s about to go down.
12 more months to create financial abundance.
Im doing that!

Alexa play Anita Baker, You Bring Me Joy!
Who is that dancing in the window?
It’s me, because I bring me joy.
12 more months to create that solo dance performance.
Im doing that!

Shit!
Your son is getting married in 4months.
You heard me, 4 months!
Weight Watchers app, can I get a clap
Clap?
4 more months to look extra good and 8 more months to feel like I’m Hollywood!
I’m doing that!

The journal is open to create more stories.
Traveling more to see what else is in store.
You wrote a story from the heart in 15 minutes and won that contest.
Shut up! Who did that?
12 more months to dedicate time to writing, reading and expressing.
Yes, you!
I’m doing that!

Don’t you think you’re doing a lot?
What?? One son overcame his panic attacks , stuttering and is 29 , a plumber and getting married.
The other son overcame having seizures and couldn’t talk for almost a year and has graduated music school and has an internship as an audio engineer.
Dam right Im doing a lot, cause im doing all of that!

In the dawn of 2024, a canvas unfurls,
With goals profound, like precious pearls.
Self-love, like a compass, guiding my way,
In the gentle embrace of a brand-new day.

Within, I seek a love so deep,
A promise to myself, a secret to keep.
Mirror reflections, it is a start,
Loving every piece of me, a work of art.

In the tapestry of dreams, a vow I weave,
To embrace imperfections and in them, believe.
Stars in my soul, twinkling bright,
I continue on this journey of self-love’s light.

Acceptance, the bridge, to hearts that care,
In 2024, love is in the air.
No fortress of doubt, no walls to build,
A dance with hearts, the space is filled.

With open arms, I welcome the tides,
Affection and warmth in love’s sweet strides.
In this chapter, I choose to receive,
Love’s symphony, in which to believe.

Nurturing my mind, a garden of thought,
Seeds of wisdom, lessons sought.
Books and knowledge, like rain on soil,
A fertile mind, a lifetime to uncoil.

Learning and growing, expanding my view,
In the vast expanse of the intellectual brew.
A sanctuary of thoughts, a haven of peace,
Nurturing my mind, the quest shall not cease.

2024, a year of growth and bloom,
A tapestry woven with lessons from the gloom.
In self-love’s embrace, I find my might,
Accepting love, like morning light.

Nurturing my mind, a scholar’s quest,
In the pages of wisdom, I am truly blessed.
The mind, a garden, thoughts take flight,
In the canvas of dreams, I find my light.

So here’s to my 2024 journey, a story to tell,
In the symphony of life, where dreams swell.
I set my intentions, a heartfelt decree,
For a year of love, growth, and wisdom, to be.

And like that 2023 is over, this year flew by
But isn’t that what we say every year when the end is near?
Still though time does seem to speed up annually
Does that come with age?
I’m only 23, a 2000’s baby is what I be
Last year I finally learned to love me
That along with a lot of other things
Habits are hard to change especially when taught young
Negative habits were all I knew
Being toxic unconsciously, wanting control over everything, vices to “keep” the pain away

Smoking, drinking, eating, sexing
All fake distractions that in the end, made me worse
Trust issues
But I called it individuality
The inability to listen, being stubborn and hardheaded
2024 I realize, accept, and input the facts that help me grow
It’s okay to listen, be silent, intake, and think
Not everyone is out to hurt me

Balance and confidence are needed to not take everything personally
Are you a reflection or a lesson?
I go to my therapist for a session
I need to release and let go
So that way I wont feel so low

2024 is where I meet sober me and face everything inside
The world is proving what’s in the dark must always come to light
But I, by myself choose whether I win that fight
To face and to conquer
Or to ignore and ignore and ignore until I blow up

Physically I must strengthen myself
When I do something I don’t want to do that strengthens my mind
When I strengthen my mind I have the ability to do anything I want
So I wake up early, work out, no eating until noon
At 7 I stop eating, meditate and give thanks to the moon
The moon illuminates my battles

Battles that no one can fight for me
I, by myself must choose my destiny
And I choose to first change my melody
From darkness to light
From anger to forgiveness
From sadness to happiness
From negativity to positivity
From irritability to patience
From assuming to asking
From quiet to loud, confidently and unapologetically

From changing my melody I attract what is meant for me
From changing my melody I can accept and maintain all that is for me

2024 is my year of love, light, success and peace
2024 is the year meant for my best me

2024 – New Year, New Me!

You know the same thing we ALWAYS say!

What makes this year so different?

My levels of Effs to give.

I’m walking into 2024 with full knowledge,

I will became the villain in a lot of peoples reality.

Honestly, that makes me feel content

Because that means I’m becoming the hero I deserve to be in my reality.

Look, it’s a bird, it’s a plane,

Nah – its Antoinette taking her power back.

I’m a mom, daughter, wife, friend and the list goes on

But most importantly – I AM ME!

I have been in a cocoon; realizing I’m embarking on an evolution.

I’m excited to spread my beautifully crafted wings wide and proudly!

My wings will bring boundaries that will lead to a limitless life!

My wings will gift me a little blue book.

My little blue book of adventure and memories!

I will break the chains placed on me from generations past.

Setting my bloodline free –

By betting on me!

I don’t particularly focus on making resolutions at this point in life. Instead, I aim to surpass my “best self” if I am blessed enough to experience another day, let alone another year.

Lord willing, I’ll be 45 later this month, and life has life-ed enough for me to know not to take a day for granted — especially after receiving, at least, 16,425 such blessings.

As we head into 2024, I wanted to reflect on the first five years into my 40s.

Everything has changed in that time, particularly in society, but even more so in my personal experience. It’s not something I’d naturally talk about, but I think getting things out of my head and being vulnerable is good these days. It could be helpful to someone else.

For my part, 2019 marked the beginning of a transformative journey. Entering that year, I sought and anticipated more, personally and professionally, sketching a vision board to plot the future. Things I could envision, but really couldn’t control.

A mentor in a leadership program suggested adding a therapist to my personal executive board — my core group of life advisers — to strive for work-life balance, something I’m not sure we ever truly attain. Initially, I believed it would assist me in managing work-related stress, but it offered a different perspective, especially regarding self-awareness. But that would be a process.

I moved to Washington D.C. for a dream job at CNN, only to have the world disrupted by a global pandemic. This led to an unforeseen return to Chicago for lockdown, which provided me with unfettered time with my kids, a divorce, and an abrupt return home to Ohio, which seemed like an extension of isolation.

During this return, I witnessed firsthand the cruel and indifferent nature of Alzheimer’s dementia, afflicting my biggest supporter: My mother. That put things into perspective like nothing else. I helped my parents and thought it meant a career change that would keep me home, but I would have to figure that out.

Obligations increased. Expectations changed, personally and professionally. The stakes got higher, and a lot got harder. And it turns out our parents do age; they are human.

Despite managing to produce some of my most significant work during this time, from pandemic coverage to racial unrest and a consequential election that was followed by an insurrection in the Capital, I found myself burned out and just barely getting by. Life was life-ing harder than ever. My head was bloody, but unbowed.

What’s clear is this: Change is unstoppable and inevitable. In the words of Thanos, “Dread it, run from it, destiny arrives all the same.”

I wrestled with all of that, the imperfections of myself and my life. What became “my normal.” But I’ve since learned my normal doesn’t have to mirror anyone else’s. It’s not supposed to. It never has and never will. I’m not that person and never have been. I embrace that even when others don’t understand, but also know that their opinions can’t matter as much.

Therapy helped me be more vulnerable and rediscover myself. My family caught me. Friends — old and new — began asking more about, well, me. My definition of family contracted, evolved, and expanded. Some people came. Others went. I changed jobs. Things stabilized a bit and I moved to Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, toward the end of 2022.

I’ve had it. Lost it. Got it again. Lost it and had to rebuild. I’m resilient if nothing else; even if I need a minute, that will never change.

Learning to take the bitter with the sweet is more than a notion. It’s a bittersweet serum for growth, a rite of passage into adulting, and a necessity to move forward.

I’ve sometimes felt like I’ve been spinning plates while walking on a tightrope. I’ve probably dropped a few plates trying to look back or walk too quickly, but was fortunate enough to get another plate to spin again. I am learning to move at my own pace, being present and enjoying the walk to the destination ahead. That’s all you can control.

My partner shows up for me and she loves me for all of me, including my imperfections. My chosen family — a collection of friends — does, too. I want to be a better partner for everyone who shows up for me in business and life. I’ve learned to let go of those who aren’t a part of those conversations. There’s a reason they aren’t there, even when it’s not readily apparent, it eventually will be. Their absence was needed and later welcomed.

At 45, my life looks nothing like I thought it would. I’ve racked up more miles than I imagined on planes, trains, and automobiles, traveling on this continent and venturing into two others. It adds to the list of blessings and experiences that have shaped me.

And, in many ways, I am doing the things I set out to do.

When I was editor-in-chief of The Buchtelite, the University of Akron’s student-run newspaper, I always aspired to be an executive running a newsroom. It was clear to me that I wanted to ascend the ranks of leadership and be able to make coverage decisions that benefited the larger community. In my role as the managing editor of Axios Local, I’m helping lead a newsroom across 30 markets. I graduate from Poynter’s executive training program next week.

However, the course of my life and career has necessitated eight relocations over the past two decades, primarily in the Midwest and now on the East Coast. This diverse journey has provided me with a unique perspective, shaped not only by my experiences in the newsroom but also by the lessons learned outside of it.

The reality is this: There aren’t too many individuals at this level who look like me, and even fewer who could replicate the unique experiences I’ve encountered as both a journalist and a Black man—embracing both successes and failures. My aspiration to continually improve is my superpower.

All of these experiences have broadened my perspective on life, shifting from a microscope, which hones in and fixates on one item, to a kaleidoscope, which allows more light and vibrant colors to come into focus.

I’m embracing an even longer list of things to learn, which involves scaling back on certain obligations, empowering others, and acknowledging my self-worth. There are still things I need to release, but that’s why therapy matters.

As each day unfolds, I increasingly appreciate the worth of time, our most precious commodity. In 2024, I intend to cherish every day I’m given, surrounding myself with the love of those who share this journey with me.

There’s still work ahead, and I aim to contribute each day in ways that make a positive impact, whether through a conversation, a thought, or a piece of content that assists others in navigating their journeys.

———

What I’ve learned over the past five years:

* Trust God’s plan
* Waking up is the bare minimum; what you do with the rest of the day matters most.
* Life never stops doling out lessons — so be a more attentive student.
* Know that sometimes it just … is.
* It’s OK to not be OK. Take a minute to care for yourself.
* Being alone gives you time to think, but avoid rabbit holes.
* Remember that sometimes the right abbit holes lead to creativity; just know which one you’re diving into.
* Everyone is right from their vantage point and, sometimes, it just has to be that.
* Think about what it’s like on the other side of me.
* What obstacles might they be facing that are contributing to an issue?
* Not everyone is for you, and you’re not for everyone. And some people who say they’re for you are more concerned with what you can do for them.
* To embrace those who consistently show up for you — those who pour into you when you need them. And do the same for them.
* It’s OK to grieve the loss of people, even when they’re still walking this earth. They depart for their journey, and you must go on yours.
* Write more
* Don’t ever stop dreaming. I am doing what I said I would do over 20 years ago.

The world runs around and bucks you
Of your trajectory with minutiea that drive you
Up a wall, and down into darkness which blinds
Your senses that either gives adrenaline or freezes
You into a statue that’s blind, deaf, and dumb.

Your vision turns into bright starts that short-
Circuit your mind with blinding light whose sport
Is to suppress your logic, embracing emotions
That turn you deaf to all evidence against your passions.
Those then steal your ability to speak your mind.

As the world moves round and round, like a merry
Go round, so do you try to stave off the shocks that ferry
You into dismay as experiences are disillusioningly
Petrifying, with their obstacles and demands
On your taking a stand outside your comfort zones.

Stay the course.
Stand tall.
Savor each experience.
Strengthen your faith with failure or success.
Sever negative relationships,

And let your self-confidence emerge
A snow white pigeon of peace and verve of life.

©️ Malak kalmoni chehab ©️

Hide the light out of fright
Now I will shine bright
For the darkness
Comes the light
2024 with all my might
I have become the light
for all that is right
Casting light on the darkness
I will never loose sight

Dear Unsealed,
My goals for 2024 are somewhat different that in 1990 or 2007. I am 74 years old. I know my goals are different apparently because I am older and the fact, I survived long covid and the effects on my body and major surgery. I almost died April 2022. However, I am alive. I am a Virgo, Leo moon rising, born on the cusp of Libra. I shall talk about more subtle goals than I would have at 20, 30, 40, 50, 0r 60.
My goals are:
1. To remain healthy as possible.
2. To remain alive.
3. To continue my freelance writing and photography.
4. To continue to spread love and light.
5. To perhaps make a little extra money to help with bills.
6. To always see my doctor.
7. To continue my gluten free, lactose free diet as much as possible.
8. To walk more, swim if the weather permits.
9. To continue my meditation practices.
10. To analyze what I am doing and what another person means with their words as they speak to me or other people.
11. To cut back on clothes, shoe spending on Wish and Temu.
12. Be kind but not vulnerable the full 12 months of 2024.
I will wake up every morning to the sound of music playing through Google Mini or Alexa. I will remember my vivid dreams of people, places, things to write down the specifics of my dreams to create stories of inspiration, but to not forget that inspiration is a part of a negative experience to be brought out into the light. I will take care of my health and continue to think young. I will continue my political activist positions regarding human rights, women’s rights, LBGTQ rights, voting rights and democracy for all.
My goal to spread light, love and peace may sound repetitive to some people, but to me it is my most important goal for 2024 and beyond. Without peace, love, and light there would be continuous wars and evil wrongdoing in our society. So, there needs to be more people involved in this goal. Equality and human rights are not political as they are a humanitarian society procedure, not political.
I will spread light and love through my writing and photography with periodic checks of analyzing the good, the bad, the ugly in all facets of life on Earth.

Sincerely,

Vicki Lawana Trusselli
December 21, 2023

Living in shadows of my past

Roaming hallways of my mind

Afraid to turn corners too fast

And the memories I would find

Resolved to pause and change my stance

And shake the past’s dust off my shoes

I will give next year a chance

To see in color instead of blues

Those old walls become withdrawn

As fresh grass grows beneath my feet

This old year has come and gone

My new self I prepare to meet

This New Year I have a choice

My liberty comes with it’s dawn

A small change in my mind’s voice

To a positive antiphon

My New Year’s dreams are made of light

Washing tears and sorrow away

All I did was adjust my sight

To view a better, brighter day