Year of rhythm

Since 2011, I've participated in an online class (and community) called One Little Word.

Before looking ahead to 2022, I wanted to look back on the things I want to remember about 2021 and my word rhythm.

I want to remember that how I react to what happens around me has a ripple effect. Pause before responding. It all affects the rhythm.

I want to remember that the pandemic, my disability, and the ways in which both affect my family's life is something I can't help, and therefore something I shouldn't feel guilty or sorry about.

I want to remember that rhythm is a grounding thing. As lost as I've been sometimes this year, I feel grounded in this moment. And that matters.

I want to remember that I'm capable of rhythm. It may seem harder to find sometimes—as life seems to get harder with each passing year—but I'm determined to reclaim it in whatever new form it takes and will appreciate it all the more.

I want to remember that I can create new neural pathways and learn new patterns of thinking that serve me better than old habits. Not all change is bad. (Because of FOP. I think I'm more likely to be wary of change.)

I want to remember this: "You may not be in a rhythm quite yet, but there is rhythm in your heartbeat. And even in the waiting, that means something."—Morgan Harper Nichols

I want to hope that better days are ahead because we learn through the hard stuff.