As the sun sets on 2023 and dawn rises on 2024

E120: Past, Present, Future

Dateline: Goa, India

Reflect on the past.
Plan the future.
But also remember to stop long enough to enjoy the beauty and gift of your present.

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Present

The waves crash gloriously, releasing their sound waves onto the shoreline in a series of lacy ruffles. I look down. In a one-inch bubble on one ripple I see a full reflection of myself with the dawn sky breaking behind me. “Look at this!”, I gesture to my son and daughter, reaching for the camera in my bag to capture the image. But just as quickly, it melts into the sand as the wave ripples back towards the Arabian Sea … feeding into the next swell.

I could not capture that moment on digital celluloid. But it was a stark message from Mother Nature: Remember to hold onto this present moment. And revel in it.

I’m writing to you from the beach. Literally.

It is early morning. The sun is rising and there is a gentle warmth on my shoulders as my fingers cradle this tiny screen in front of me. I'm standing at the water edge, looking onto a horizon dotted with goan fishing boats and trawlers. My toes are crunching through sand that is as soft as shortbread, warm water laps my ankles. I’ve picked a spot where there is a little more of a dip. A bank of breakers gather at the base and create this glorious white lacy crotchet as it crashes with intensity on the shore. I could spend hours videoing for you. Against this beautifully natural symphony, I have a Nepali singer — Timro Pratiksa — chanting in one ear (I know “what could those living in the mountains know about soft candy beaches?!” And yet, the music is sublimely suited to this moment.)

Past

As the sun sets on 2023 my inbox is filled with newsletters from so many in our tribe Tilt reflecting on their past year. It has been particularly satisfying to read the self-pride of all our emerging writers in WoP9, WoP10 and WoP11 as they establish their writing practices.

Mine is short.

I could not have planned the abundance 2023 has given me. There are tears forming as I stand in such a beautiful spot, with the ocean filling my horizon, a steady supply of waves rolling onto a beach filled with its myriad grains of sand, extending endlessly as far as I can see …

• My three children are healthy. I have never taken this gift of peace of mind and time lightly. There are so many other joys these three bring into my life. Their accomplishments fill me with so much pride. In a universe of humans spanning millenia, I am forever humbled that these three spirits chose me as their mother.

• I spent time with those I treasure. I met everyone of my aunts and uncles this year. They are 95 and younger. I get to spend months with my Mother in the home my ancestors built. Yes, there are chores that come with that (she says with cobwebs in her hair and grime under her fingernails). Mais quelle privilège! To have this terracotta-tiled roof over our heads. To access all this ancient wisdom and family stories still available to me. To be able to ripple forward this font of wisdom and observances of nature through to the next generations.

• I met those who inspire me, encourage me and feed my soul. After years of meeting in 2x2 inch squares, I got to wallow in the full length of some special writers who turned this coder into a published (and publishing) author. In France - in a chateau, with a week of writing curated by Diane Osgood and

  Cindy Villanueva
  . Quiet. Stately. Deep conversations. And a gathering of the Crow sisterhood on the Georgian Bay - hosted by Kathy Karn. And all across the globe visiting WoP alumni who go out of their way to meet with me.

I am beyond blessed.

To ask to 10x such abundance verges on greed.
And yet I will. That is our mandate in my AMP group.

I may not have concrete plans. But as I did last year, I set the vector/direction on what I want for the year. Then I lean into every opportunity that presents itself that feeds into my intentions. [If ever you wondered about the design behind my logo.]

Future

What would 2024 look like if I could 10X it?

• Climate awareness gets amplified 10X

• We galvanize 10X the number of people to engage with climate space

• 10X aged 17-87 yrs state a definitive climate action, no matter how small

• We get on to the radar of 10X 7-17 year olds, inspiring them as they determine the next few steps of their life journey

• We inspire 10X as many remedies and innovative solutions to our current crises

A 10X change is permission to throw out the rule book. It isn't incremental progress. It is radical reinvention. It is “WhatIf”.

I’m willing to dream big and bold as this new year dawns. How about you?

I think this is a 🫶 heart shaped sunrise, don’t you?

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This week’s participation opportunities:

1. Friday Jan 5, I get to meet

   Ishan Shanavas
   and
   Louis Pereira
   in Goa! Are you in the area? If not, let’s schedule a virtual meetup during January.

2. Follow @theFloraProjectGoa on Instagram and share it with others. If you are inclined, you can contribute on the GoFundMe page. We buy water and other supplies during the workshops.

3. Have one climate conversation. “How were the greens during your golf game, Grandpa? Do you find the grass is different?” “How were the greens, Isa? Have you noticed a change in the availability and quality of your veggies?”

The best idea can come from anyone, anywhere, at any time. Speak up. Act now. You have permission.

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Thank you for being a part of of this special Tribe Tilt.

We are a wonderful group, who believe we can make a difference to the people and places that are precious to us - that we have hope and agency within our own lives that ripples through to others. You each inspire me and give me hope for the future of this world!

Stay healthy. From there all else becomes possible. Wishing you and your family the very best for the New Year. May your 2024 surprise you!

Karena

Would you like to join our Tribe Tilt?