Page 44 - Sonoma County Gazette - January 2020

I love January. We can all breathe a sigh of gratitude now that the holidays are over can just sit and enjoy winter. It represents a new beginning, a chance to start over, and an opportunity to make plans and, yes, set new goals.
There is strength in numbers. I hope to see some of you in Santa Rosa for the Women’s March on January 18th, 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. in the Courthouse Square. Also the next night, January 19th, is the annual MLK Jr. “Live
the Legacy - Make it Happen” celebration at the Santa Rosa High School Auditorium, 7 - 9 p.m. “Our goal is to create a beloved community, and this will require a qualitative change in our souls as well as a quantitative change in our lives.”– Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
As we are gradually coming away from the darkest day of the year, it is a perfectly contemplative season for self-reflection and empathy for all else. I invite us to ponder the root of our actions, while spring’s flowers rest as bulbs under winter’s frost. We are each made up of our own thoughts
- and what a blessing it would be if we could all try to master them, instead of becoming overcome by them.
Speaking of blessings, a gift of new life has been bestowed on me this year. I am expecting a baby girl anytime now. She has already brought so much joy to me and my family. After my mom passed, I grew quite close with my grand aunt Ellen and adopted her as my godmother. One year and three months after my mom, she passed away suddenly at Sutter. Now another year later, to the week, my baby will be born in the same hospital. The resilient cycle of life continues, with profound renewal.
As I look forward to this new and exciting year, I have great intentions. I’m intending to see with 2020 vision for the whole wild ride
that will be new motherhood. For you, it’s likely something else, and worth exploring.
I hope some of the following aspirations might mean something to you, as they do for me. If nothing else, please be inspired to come up with your own.
I mentioned last year that you should give yourself permission to make those New Year’s resolutions. And I want to say it again. Now’s the time! Make all the new goals that your heart desires.
Let’s start with getting outside. If you are not big on hiking how about starting with a 10-minute walk each day of the first week, then build to 15 minutes each day the following week, and next week do 20 minutes – until you are walking each day 30 minutes. Fit it into your busy schedule. DO IT!
Make time – make it work so you stay healthy. And how about exploring new areas of your neighborhood? Walk a public community dirt road, taking the hills slowly, or walk a beach you haven’t been on before. If you are walking on an uphill road aim for a tree for one week, and the following week go a little further. Basically, take each step and mark it as an accomplishment and celebrate inside your own heart that you are out and enjoying nature which of course is good for your overall health and everyone around you.
For events to mark on your calendar start with Timber Cove Resort and the Local Music Night every Wednesday from 6 - 9 with various artists to entertain you while you dine with great discounts on the menu for locals. Visit them at https://www.timbercoveresort.com/activities.
Gualala Art Center continues to entertain and educate our wonderful community with art openings, classes, and music. Several art receptions starting with Collage and Assemblage Art on January 4th from 5-7 PM and the 9th we have ‘Where the Journey Takes Us’ and later in the month “Water’s Edge’ reception.
Several classes are starting: Chinese Brush Painting, Instant Pot Cooking, and Making Art with Dialogue are worth checking out.
My 2020 goals are to...
Two music events take place in January with Eric Kritz and Friends, on the 19th at 4 pm and on the 26th Global Harmony Winter Concert that will give your heart and soul some winter warmth. Visit Gualala Arts at http:// gualalaarts.org/category/events/ for all the dates of classes and details.
Be.
Live.
Thrive.
Breathe.
Hug often. Remember.
Push myself.
Look upwards. Prepare the way. Release and relax.
Trust and have faith. Practice compassion. Grow in and to the light. Organize my new home. Unite with my community. Speak to friends and family. Listen when other people talk. Connect with distanced people.
Be the best version of myself. Form a life for my daughter. Have it be a wonderful life. Strengthen relationships. Go slow and steady. Continue to create. Give thoughtfully. Build us a future. Focus inward. Produce art.
Stay active. Meditate.
Engage.
Dance.
Love.
See.
Do.
The Point Arena Lighthouse begins its new 2020 lecture series starting on the 18th at 4 p.m. with Merita Whatley presenting “Saving a Lighthouse and a Landscape”. This will be sure to give you insight into our local history and the story behind our beacon of light. The Wolf Full Moon Tour, January 10th and 11th starts at 6 pm on the tallest lighthouse on the West Coast complete with Champagne, sparkling juice and snacks. Reservations must be made by phone at 877-725-4448 ext. 1 or 707-882-2809 ext. 1. For this and all events go to https://www.pointarenalighthouse.com/visit/calendar-2/.
The Arena Theater a little something for everyone. First Run movies. Music. Local Entertainment. On January 11th the Wozzeck (Berg) Production with ‘emotional power and brilliant score as one of the most significant operas of the 20th century’ will be playing. On the 18th ‘Present Laughter’ with
Garry Essendine, an up and coming comedian will present his latest. January 21st is a showing of the documentary of ‘Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice” and the 26th is the ballet ‘Raymonda’, a must-see of the Bolshoi Ballet sharing the ‘life and work of the ballerina as the ultimate virtuoso’. Visit them at https://www.arenatheater.org/home/calendar/ or call them to check out their recording of all the latest upcoming events.
“How many lessons of faith and beauty we should lose, if there were no winter in our year!”– Thomas Wentworth Higginson
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”– Eleanor Roosevelt
“If something is important enough, even if the odds are against you, you should still do it”– Elon Musk
Maybe one of your new resolutions is to get out more, meet some new people, and experience new things. Well, the coast is alive! And awaiting you! ‘Love the Life you Live, Live the Life you Love’, a quote by Bob Marley. Here here!!! Many blessings to you all in the New Year!!!
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