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The New Leaf

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I am not sleepy. Feels like an old years night. So I decided to write. Originally I titled the blog post - The New Year - then I thought that leaf instead of year would be more interesting. Happy New Year! Happy New Leaf! I read that "turn over a new leaf" is an idiom that means to start over or change your attitude or act in a different way. The new year is a great time to turn over a new leaf. The end of the old year is a great time to reflect.

This past year I did a lot of writing. I did a moderate amount of walking but not consistently. I started the devs.tt project and the Voice of SZ project. I got a new phone. I read a handful of books but not enough. I did make some photographs. Sometimes I forget how much I love photography and I should say that I am really good at it. I have an eye for photography. A unique perspective. I started a cooking blog and somewhat cookbook. I planted a guava tree. I kept myself useful and productive. I kept a positive attitude. I remained kind and loving and hopeful. I kept myself close to God. I prayed. I let go of the things I could not change. I changed the things I could change. The end of last year I reminded myself to enjoy the journey.

This year I am telling myself to turn over a new leaf. I am telling myself to imagine how I can do things differently. I really love walking and I really love photography. My walking needs to be consistent. Like everyday of 2025 consistent. If I can do that I would have turned a new leaf. For my photography I am going to start a photo365 project in 2025. I think those are the two main things I am going to focus on in 2025. My passion for those two things and being consistently active with those two will fuel change in the other areas of my life. I feel motivated just thinking about walking and photography every day for 2025. Walking and photography will be my agitators for change. Steve Jobs has told us that, "The only way to do great work is to love what you do."

The idiom 'turn over a new leaf' is rooted in the 16th-century concept of a book's pages being referred to as leaves. By turning to a fresh, unwritten page, one metaphorically begins a new chapter in their life. I am thankful that I was able to reflect on the past pages of 2024 and plan ahead for the new. I am thankful to God for guiding me. I am thankful to my mom for being there for me. I am thankful for everyone who makes this journey better. I am thankful for the new unwritten pages of 2025. I beleaf in God. I beleaf in the power of love. I beleaf in doing and saying good. I beleaf that words have power and that we should walk the talk. I beleaf that 2025 will be a rewarding year, God willing.
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