At “The North Pole”
Sky Park at Santa’s Village
Skyforest, CA
I headed home from my holiday travels at the end of December, heart-filled with the love of family. I was tired, but happy in the distinct way grandmothers know well. I had just been given a multitude of irreplaceable moments with my best beloveds . . . Tiny hands holding mine, some still so small, and some growing too fast. Also bigger hands and hearty hugs. Teens and twenty-somethings updating me on their lives. Strong, beautiful, and grown. Smiles. Laughter. Storybooks shared. Snowman crafts. Game playing. Sleepy cuddles. All of it so cherished.
After tearful goodbyes, I checked in for my flight and went in search of a new journal at the airport gift shop, thinking I could begin it on January 1st. Last year, returning from my Christmas trip, I had purchased one there, and it had been a terrific addition to my writing life. Alas, this time nothing spoke to me, probably because I already had it in mind that I wanted a guided journal like the one I used in 2024 (The Breathe Journal 52 Week Guided Planner) and they didn’t have anything similar.
Once home, my usual routines resumed, but with more than the usual spark of wonder and worry that a new year brings. This was not going to be just any new year. Apprehensive, sad, and often angry, too, I knew that I was going to have to work hard to maintain my usual optimism and good will. Honestly, my optimism was at one of the lowest levels I have ever known. Somehow, I was still hanging on to my feeling of good will in all my daily encounters. My genuine love of the people I see during the course of a regular week’s activities lifts me up. But when I was at home reading the news, I was feeling helpless and exceptionally low.
Mr. P and I stuck to our walking schedule, which we know is a nonnegotiable necessity, and I was happy to return to my library job and to church on Sundays. These things always help. Still, I knew I needed to get more writing in, and was stuck—am stuck—as far as my historical fiction manuscript goes, so I searched online for a new journal. I found and ordered Journal Like a Stoic: A 90-Day Stoicism Program to Live with Greater Acceptance, Less Judgment, and Deeper Intentionality by Brittany Polat, PhD.
By the time the journal arrived, we were more than halfway through January, and I was physically unwell. I am only into my third day of using it, but I would say it is helping me in the way that almost any honest attempt at writing truthfully from my heart and mind can do. It focuses my mind with reading, questions me with depth, and sets a task before me. I like it.
From the book: “Stoicism is a philosophy of life in the fullest sense. As a framework for daily living, it can guide us in every decision we make, from our career choices to what’s for dinner tonight. What’s more, it helps ground us when we’re living through what feels like unprecedented times.”
The kitty is also interested in stoicism.
The three disciplines of stoicism are logic, ethics, and physics. The four virtues of stoicism are wisdom, justice, courage, and temperance. All these things I can get behind, believe that I mostly already embrace them. I say mostly, because I am ignorant when it comes to physics, and historically slack when it comes to temperance. Still! I am in. I will faithfully read and respond to the prompts in the book. I will write honestly.
I plan to continue with the other things in my life that sustain me: my love of friends, family, community, church, library, nature, reading, art, music, cooking, and pets (to name a few). And I will write the occasional blog post! I love connecting with all of you!
Cheers
To us! To a year of introspection and growth, and to a lifetime of love-motivated action and purpose. God Speed.
LakeArrowheadLadyWriter 
I am familiar with this feeling – “I was tired, but happy in the distinct way grandmothers know well.” Grandbabies grow so very fast. Your Stoic journal looks like something I would enjoy. Please, keep us updated with it, if you have time. Thanks for sharing this lovely post.
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Thank you, Rose. I was just reading your post about your town in Minnesota. It’s beautiful! I hope to write about the “results” of writing in the Stoic journal when I finish it. 💞
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Hello Lori! I’m so glad you had such an enjoyable holiday, and have found ways to navigate the start of a somewhat stressful new year ahead! I love the idea of a journal utilizing the perspective of Stoicism! That’s so great! And you are right about this being “a year of introspection and growth”! We will all become stronger, and we will get there together! I remember asking my British mother when I was a teenager, why she always reflected so fondly on her years during WWII in England. They seemed to be her happiest memories, and yet, all I could think of was the fact she was growing up in wartime. And her answer was “Because in dark times, everyone came together and found ways to help one another!” This is our time to experience that again! May 2025 bring you much happiness in ways you might not expect! Happy journaling!
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Wow, Anita! I love your response! Thinking about your mother’s reasoning behind her fond memories of the war years really makes sense. I hadn’t thought of it in that way. Your mom’s outlook, and your articulation of it for me, is a lovely gift! Thank you! 💞
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Oh….this, Lori – this! …”irreplaceable moments with my best beloveds…” Good grief, yes, yes, yes. Thanks for taking us along and for sharing the beautiful photos. I’m curious about Stoicism and intrigued by the intentionality aspect, especially. Hugs to you! 🥰
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Hugs right back, Vicki! Thank you! Your bright soul popping in to my Sunday morning is a tonic for sure. Xxxooo🥰
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Wowza…what a sweet thing to say. Sunday morning hugs back atcha! 🥰
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Sounds like you have a good plan in place. And wine! Don’t forget the wine.
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Never!😹
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oh, Lori… I envy your intentionality and introspection. As a Type A, I can stay so busy that I do not take the time like you for reflection and contemplation. As we both face new chapters in our lives, I hope to follow your example and move forward with purpose as well as self-validation! And of course, I hope that our lives will intersect as they have here in rural Nevada!!! Love you!
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Linda is that you?
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Hi, Linda! You are so articulate and I adore you! Enjoy your travels and I look forward to hearing all about them. 💙💙💙
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That looks like a perfect journal for this year. I love your plan, “I plan to continue with the other things in my life that sustain me: my love of friends, family, community, church, library, nature, reading, art, music, cooking, and pets (to name a few).” Such great intentional and grounded sustenance! Happy 2025, Lori!
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Thank you so much, Wynne! Reading your posts is part of my sustenance! Happy 2025 to you and yours! xxxooo
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What a happy post! Our lone grandson (almost 9 months old) lives almost 2,000 miles away. He’s taking his first airplane flight out west in about a month, and we’re renting an AirBnb with them for a week. We’ve been back to visit them a couple of times. While I enjoy spending time with my grandson, my favorite part is watching our son be a great dad.
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How wonderful your family will be together for a week’s vacation, Pete! It is beautiful, indeed, to watch your child enjoying their child- seeing and feeling the great love you have for your child reborn in their love for theirs. 🥰
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