Last year flew by,
Not by pleasant times in fun filled lives
But by pain and worry and voiceless cries.
I watched as time passed
This year will be different
Although my joints may ache
And doctor appointments fill my plate
My passion will carry me through
I dream of telling stories
Fantastical and new
With one book down,
Many more to go
The world I craft is where I call home.
In my stories, I find solace
The place where I am free to roam
Unburdened from my physical state,
Where I am once again in control
Nothing will stop my will to create
This year I am on a roll
I will be a published author
And nothing will stop me from achieving my goal

What GOAL! A goal to succeed a goal to believe, a goal to achieve. Nope not me. However, I do hope and wish for happiness something that death stole from me. If only now I can become a kid again running, jumping, and skipping all over the place.
For the previous years has been dampen and has left me so depressed, I can’t think of a goal only just happiness.
Why look at me funny or stare me down I just want to be happy spinning around and around.
Life can be so amazing then just like that you are caught up in a trap, asking yourself can I get back?
Nope no goal for me happiness is what I seek.
How about money, fortune, and fame if I can’t be happy these attributes will not mean the same.
I want the hole in my heart to close, I want the tears to cease no longer roll, I want laughter that tickles my very soul. I want the joy that comes from within to find me again. Then maybe I will set my eyes upon a goal, writing the best story ever told watch it, watch it unfold becoming like Maya Angelou the lady was solid gold.
For now, my goal is imagining myself in a pool of clowns, one pulling the other tugging everybody’s joking around. I don’t want life ups and downs, but reality is to live is to experience the hardship that goes around. Happiness, joy, laughter, kindness, and love is what I thrive. The goal right now is for me to find me, for my mind needs to be set free and peace to engulf all of me.

A new day begins,
A fresh start, where hope lies within.
To finish school, a milestone to reach,
Turning a new page, within my reach.

A book to be written, a story to unfold,
Words like wings, a tale to be told.
To find love’s embrace, a tender vine,
Growing stronger, intertwining.

A car paid in full, a home to call my own,
Adventures to seek, on roads yet unknown.
To live with intention, each moment embraced,
Appreciating the journey, at my own pace.

Let happiness bloom, a vibrant flower in the spring,
To love more, complain less, and let my spirit sing.
To wash away doubt, a shadow that fades away,
As confidence shines, with each passing day.

A career that ignites my soul’s desire,
A life of purpose, fueled by inner fire.
To cultivate peace within my mind and soul,
To live stress-free and make my spirit whole.

I no longer look back at the things I’ve outgrown,
I’m embracing the future, a life that’s truly my own.

I used to have one million goals; now I have one goal with a million little steps.
My goal is to be free and find a reason for being, a reason for loving, a reason for learning, a reason for growing — a reason to be.
I have lived all my life afraid of the possibilities of life.
Afraid that If I stepped too far from the cage of my home, I would one day find out that I’ve always been right in my fear of stepping into the unknown.
But the older I grow, the easier it is to see that If I hide in fear, I will never be who I want to be
And who do I want to be this year? I want to be the best version of myself.
When I walk into a room,
Instead of my first thought being
‘How do I look?’,
‘Why does it feel like everyone’s staring at me?’,
‘Why does it feel like they want me to leave?’
I want my first thought to be:
‘Who can I meet, and what version of me do I want this room to unleash?’
When I work on a project, I want to say:
‘I am so happy that I get to learn today, and I am so excited to fail so that I can improve and get better the next day.’
Instead of:
‘Why do I bother to try something new when I don’t have a clue what it is I’m meant to do? ‘
When I talk to a friend, I want to think what I think and say what I say without worrying if the end of our friendship is on the way.
I want to speak freely and know that if the conversion dies, the anxiousness will eventually subside and we can continue talking until the end of time.
I want to be okay with saying no, not because I am sick or because I am busy, but because I simply don’t want to go.
I want to know that the people who matter will never let me go, just because of a simple no.
I want to find joy in myself and understand that I will be okay without having someone constantly in front me.
I want to know that I can be happy in the comfort of my room because I am interesting enough to bring color into a world that feels like it is filled with impending doom.
I want to choose me, every time that I find myself with someone who lies to, disregards, or derides me.
I want to love myself so strongly that I would never consider giving my all to someone who could never give me peace of mind.
I want to be so grounded in my faith that no matter what anyone says, I can reply:
‘ Your belief is your belief, and that’s okay, but for me and my house, I choose to follow a God who knows my name.’
I want to wine and dine myself and find the time to love someone else. I want to save up towards my goal of independence and be myself without worrying about defending it. I want to stand firm with my convictions and circumvent all the little addictions of this world. I want to make a difference, even if that difference only affects one soul, and that soul is mine.
I want to be free and I want to be me in 2025.

It’s 2025
A new year,
New promises, new dreams.
But all I see is an empty canvas—
Not one brimming with potential,
But one haunted by shadows,
A faint echo of what it once was.

I long for the days
When the future felt vast and bright,
When my dreams danced like sparks in the dark,
And the stars were mine to paint.
Back then, the canvas whispered,
“Anything is possible.”

But now, the stars are distant,
Surrounded by the toll of their brilliance.
The cost of creation weighs heavy—
Brushes worn thin, colors faded,
And I wonder, is it worth it?

Still, I hold my breath,
Hoping to believe again.
I ache to feel that spark,
To trust that what I do matters.
To dream beyond the confines of what I am told
And step into a world of boundless skies.

I remember a time when I lived beyond the canvas.
When my hands held the power to create worlds—
Purple trees, cloud-birds soaring free,
Waves of color defying reason,
Each stroke a rebellion,
Each moment a masterpiece.

But now,
The rules have tightened around me,
Defining what I can and cannot paint.
Confining my imagination,
Strangling the voice within my brush.

Yet it’s 2025,
A new year,
And I dare to dream again.
This year, I will break the rules.
I will shatter the frame.
I will paint not just on the canvas
But beyond its edges,
Onto the walls, the sky, the stars.

This year, I will reclaim my brush,
Mixing colors no one has ever seen,
Creating worlds only I can imagine.
Because the canvas is not a limit;
It’s a beginning.

I am a painter,
And I am the creator of my story.
It’s 2025,
And the stars are waiting.

2025, The Year I write my book

I shall write my book about my crazy life,

starting with my childhood and ending with another beginning,

for in the middle is a crazy timeline of supernatural

suspense, and self control to be determined.

And within these walls, I write my secrets.

I step back and admire the woven handy-work.

Rewritten many times and times and time again.

This one will stick. Dedicated to my sons,

The genuine heroes

I embark on the threshold of my sight. For when I see,

It was good versus evil,

Now it is light and dark and movable glitter.

so get ready,

And watch me fly!

Style score 100

As this year closes and yet another one opens
Not sure where to place all this wishin and hopin
Been through the wringer – stuck on survivin and copin
My therapy is written words and those spoken:
All the trauma leaking through my paper plate
Weakening from the all this added weight
Decaying matter past expiration date
Molding, polishing it to verse and bemoan my fate
Freestyle poems to make my flow first rate
Songs of strength, social justice and challenging hate
Lofty ideals and platitudes are great…
But, I witness multitudes of micro and macro aggressions
Many met with uncomfortable silence and hesitations
Past scenarios flash in my front of my eyes
And I try to forgive myself all the botched tries
All the times I thought to speak was unwise
Considering my job threatened and other reprisals
When I could challenge rivals and facilitate soul revivals
Next year, I must develop this skill
holding others accountable cause no one else will
Gotta live the truth that I wanna create
And find something to bolster my paper plate

The excuses are old, it is time to be bold,
as the new year makes its debut.

Wipe away your tears, celebrate with cheers,
today we start our goals anew.

Every step of the way, you are going to be okay,
if you truly believe it to be.

Never stop striving, one day you will be thriving,
And the whole world will flock to see.

Today marks the beginning, don’t dream about the ending,
Because the magic is in the journey.

Yesterday is over, the due date is in October,
This book will be my testimony.

There were troubling times, and halted strides,
That came between my goals and I.

When my name is stamped, my success can set up camp,
And I can burn my mark in the sky.

Encouragement is needed, to prevent becoming defeated,
I pray all self-doubt away.

New opportunities close, your writing exposed,
If you keep the depression at bay.

Try every single day, like it’s your last card to play,
And the provisions will be plenty.

You already know, that once you go,
You are going to be the rawest in the city.

Fire photography, stunning cinematography,
Beyond the horizon your success looms.

I believe in you, damn who thinks it’s true,
Your business WILL boom.

Visions will turn reality, all due to your originality,
My dreams will make my name a brand.

End of twenty-twenty five, my dreams will be alive,
And it will be time to expand.

New year, new me?
This year I will,
This year I will do it,
Class number 3,
Class number 4,
Class number 5,
But do I do this for you or for me,
Share the word they say,
But share the love not always word,
Share the love through the work,
Do not judge,
Finish and show,
Show them you can do it,
Show the polished ones,
We can fight to be there too,
Claw to the top and share the word through work,
Show the world what it means,
Fight for the little guy,
Together we stand,
Side by side,
I am one,
Alone but not forgotten,
We are strong,
We can fight,
I will finish,
I will become a Deaconess,
I will continue to bring the light,
I will continue to shine through the mud,
I will continue to show that we are worthy of love,
Love are the least and the lost.

I have spent much time creating lists;

One for goals, one for wishes, and one for expectations missed. 

I have decided to leave those lists behind;

moving into 2025 more aligned.

Instead, I shall covet each spring blossom,

thawing the winter’s solemn.

Finding peace in the moments when the sun rises in the east; 

And with it, the warmth of the sun unleashed. 

Attending nature’s symphony, as the wind whispers through the leaves;

Uncovering a profound simplicity where peace and stillness weave.

Seeking glimmers of humanity, 

in order to restore my sanity. 

I will not spend much time creating lists;

Instead, I will seek life’s apricity where my soul can persist.

2025, this is my goal
Stay 10 toes down and not fold

What’s my goal
Not to let life’s challenges take control

I won’t be shaken
I’m moving forward, don’t be mistaken

I’ve got my own path
Launching my biz-you do the math

Thirty-two years in this game
Now it’s time to shift the frame

No more listening to that corporate voice
I’m gonna make my own choice

God gave me the sign, now’s is the time
No more sitting back, it’s time to climb

I’m walking by Faith and not by sight
My Trust in God will guide me right

No time to second guess, I’m all about delivering success

I’ve planted the seeds, now I’m waiting on the leads

This is my passion
I’m your Travel Advocate

Taking care all your travel needs
Exceptional customer service is guaranteed

I’m not anxious or greedy
My motto is “Making Travel Easy”

You want to know my goal for 2025
Watch me soar and see my vibe

My Goal don’t you know
I’m living in the overflow

Please accept my submission for the writing challenge due 1/16/2025. Thank you
carolyn

DIETER’S PLIGHT

Help me, friends, make me trim,
Let me enjoy milk that’s skim.

Hide the rolls and extra butter,
Even though I may mutter.

Pass the eggs, forget the jelly.
I don’t want a big fat belly.

Give me juice and cottage cheese.
Take away the ice cream, please.

Close my mouth, seal it tight,
Keep those candies out of sight.

Shut my eyes so I won’t see
All that food that’s tempting me.

I will get thin; I will get thin.
The battle of pounds I must win,

Or else I’ll have to give away,
The size 3 dress I bought today!

Start of the new year, time to set some new goals,

What do I want? Most of all to be whole:

Being wholly holy, tending to my soul.

Choosing to engage instead of to scroll,

Stepping more wholeheartedly into this role,

As a beam of bright stardust, wonderfully made,

As a light in the darkness, dispersing the shade,

As a brilliant blade of grass, yet part of the glade,

Rising and dying, and never afraid,

Finding my center while the wheels spin around,

Saving space for silence amidst all of the sound.

Speaking to my maker with each morning sun,

Giving praise likewise when each day is done.

Knowing I’ve come far yet only begun,

Knowing I’ve fallen, and also, I’ve won.

Remembering my weakness is what makes me strong,

Minding my missteps while moving along,

Being a being so wondrous and bold,

Willing my blood to turn my heart into gold,

Remembering the hurts that I bear and I give,

Believing that love and forgiveness always outlive

The sorrow, the shame, the fear blocking joy

Those demons and dangers who drive to destroy

Our peace, our connection, the sameness we share,

Our communities, closeness, and hearts full of care.

This is the call, that’s the bar, and it’s set high,

But I can do it, yes, I believe I can fly.

So long as I’m strong, and remember my why,

So long as I give this livin’ a try,

I can get past all falls and visit the sky,

Get there real high, where all wonders I’ll spy,

Posted above, view like the bird’s eye.

That’s the place
where I’ll see all of space,
And I’ll remind myself…

To bring healing to my wounds, and tend other’s hearts,

To strive continually to play my small part,

To speak, to write, to sharpen my arts,

To create, to play, take it back to the start,

To remember the wonder, of life as it dawns,

To make my young self into my icon.

To soak it all in, each moment I get,

To remember where I come from, never forget,

To fully and freely release my regret,

To put all my money on myself for a bet,

Not to gain profit, but to be sure to set

My eyes on the horizons, and also to let

Myself know my worth, so I can give it to others,

To sacrifice self for these sisters and brothers.

To recognize the gift that is the druthers.

All in all, I anticipate with hope all this year may bring,

And with this poem, I throw my hat in the ring!

I come from broken windows, broken doors, and broken domes.

I come from broken hearts, broken trust, and broken homes.

I come from broken words, just trying to help the children sleep at night,

Hoping that my careful words were not completely lies.

I can’t believe I’m still alive,

Scars like poems written from the night,

I can see from the fire burning in my eyes,

There are still stars in my sky.

Year two thousand and twenty-five,

I want to come home to fixing drywall, fixing leaks, and fixing lights,

I want to come home to fixing the pieces that were broken all my life,

I’ll tell the children to hush now, that they can close their eyes,

I’ll sing them quiet poems and make up lullabies.

I come from making mischief, making fun, making trouble.

Since I was the second child, trouble turned to double.

Silly lies, secret spies, cherry pies, and starry skies,

I didn’t understand this world, but I didn’t care to try.

I come from faded paint, faded wood, and faded jeans.

I come from faded hopes, faded wishes, and faded dreams.

I come from faded pictures, never as colorful as they seem,

My parents as faded as the promises they didn’t intend to keep.

Year 2025 I want to repaint my life, too long it’s been so blue.

This year I will not dwell, I want to become something new,

My child has so many dreams that I will never crush or bruise,

My child has so many gifts that I will never hide or use,

I hope the only thing that will fade will be her smile as she falls asleep,

I hope the colors in her world will always be hers to keep.

I come from the darkness, catching in my throat like thick pounds of smoke,

But I have caught my breath and spoken: “I am not a fucking joke.”

I will take steps every day to making everything okay.

My only goal for 2025 is that this year I will finally be awake.

100%

For 25′ I want to be AL(I)VE;
AL(I)VE in my fullest expression without self-suppression;
In 24′ I learned a great many lessons;
I was hesitant to embrace SO(U)L and L(I)GHT and as a result I was the culprit behind the robberies of my opportunities and blessings;

I left things undone, continuously making a bigger mess;
Yet I accomplished , more or less, just not at the level that I desired;
At times I questioned whether or not I was equipped with enough willpower because I often found myself dropping the ball when it mattered most;

A light shines bright inside that EYE was blind to too, not just the ones EYE wanted to really see me;

But how could EYE expect others to see me if I didn’t fully utilize the courage to truly be me;

L(I)FE starts through a single spark;
From a spark I came and a spark I AM;
I desire to know what it means to be AL(I)VE in 25′;
I no longer want to hide what’s (I)NSIDE;
So that spark within, that spark that I AM, I set ablaze until my entire being is engulfed in flame;

My only goal in 25′ and in L(I)FE is to experience the L(I)GHT that fills my world when I choose to shine

Dear 2025,

Hello, there! It’s me, Heather. A woman who each year has so many dreams and goals to accomplish for the new year ahead. A woman that always walks with her head held high and mind set to open. The woman who each year makes a personal goal to better herself. Intellectually and sentimentally. This year though, it’s more about health and taking care of the body in a physical matter.

This year, I want happiness. Not just for my outer layer, but for my internal layer as well.
I want laughter. Not just from social media or television, but from reality. From sincere places.
I want clarity. Not just from words from others that are relatable, but from my mind and soul.
I want adventure. Not just with familiar faces, but with just mine and the open road.

2025, it’s you vs. me.
Your experiences vs. my courage.
Those reminders you send out vs. my achievements.
It’s your arms with the fastballs vs. my open arms, ready to catch those throws.

2025, I’m ready for your experiences.
Ready for your daily reminders.
I’m ready for your fastballs.

I. Am. Ready!

Writing style: 100%

What are my goals for 2025?

To dig my toes into the sandswept shores of the Pacific Ocean

To feel gentle waves breaking and the cool water against my sun-tanned skin

To see sunsets with colors that can only be matched in Heaven.

To sip Cabernet in a Californian vineyard while a sommelier teaches me and my sisters about the wine we are drinking and how it was made.

To see the Golden Gate Bridge in all it’s grandeur

To explore underground caves taking in the beauty of stalactites and stalagmites

To watch seals as they lazily sunbathe as the waves crash around them

To take in the sights, sounds, colors, and culture of California.

To be carefree and in the present moment with the ones I love.

To snuggle up so close to them that I can hear each beat of their heart

To soak in every moment

To travel

To achieve these results will take sacrifice

It will require saying some “no’s,” so I can ultimately say “yes” to time with my family

Will take a re-evaluating of my spending habits

Will require learning to distinguish a “want” from a “need”

Will teach me different ways to save.

This year my goal is to be financially responsible so that I can spend the thing that is most precious

Time with my family and those I love.