Twenty-Thirteen: Year of The Dream!
January 4, 2013 § 34 Comments
“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language
And next year’s words await another voice.” ~ T.S. Elliot
“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.” ~ Edith Lovejoy Pierce
The New Year inspires me. Unlike birthdays, after which I don’t usually feel any different, a new year — a new set of numbers radiating new possibility – does feel different to me. Mostly because I will it to.
I like being able to section off my years. To mark this phase “done” and turn a new page, ask myself “what do I know I need to do differently this year?” The new year is an incredibly useful psychological device to inspire one to actualize the answer.
I don’t know about you, but 2012 was perhaps my fullest year to date. A year of personal growth to be sure! I’m hoping to put those lessons to good use in 2013.
One of my resolutions is to write a weekly post. Hopefully I’ll be relatively consistent in publishing a new post every Sunday evening, though that may vary a little.
I’m also going to start including a new feature, interviewing inspiring figures I know. Our first guest is going to be the creator of Cosmic American Dream Support, Rachael Rice.
What was 2012 like for you? What are your thoughts on this moment of history in which we find ourselves? What topics do you want to hear more about on Parallax? I want to hear from you! Just saying “hi” is fine as well!
Every commenter will be entered in my Parallax New Years Give Away! (Each name will be 
written on a piece of paper and placed in a bowl, from which I will draw the recipients, blindfolded, of course…must let destiny choose.) This year there will be two winners; one will receive a personalized copy of my poetry book, Pollen…
And the other will receive a copy of the fantastic and inspiring novel, The Kin of Ata Are Waiting For You.
I so appreciate every encouraging comment, and I am honored and humbled to know you are reading.
In this oftentimes dark world we have only each other to remind one another of the light within each of us — and to fan that inner fire as best we can.
I’ve been calling 2013 the year of the dream, partly because it’s a near-rhyme that has a nice ring to it, but also because I truly feel this is a time ripe with possibility.
This can be the year we actualize those inner visions we’ve been processing and brewing… If we choose.
On on,
~TC
I love your positive spin on 2013-Year of the dream and the honesty of this sometimes dark world….where all you feel is lost. 2012 was certainly my year of feeling loss with no time for recovery- I lost my 60 year old brother-in-law on February 14, my 51 year old husband on April 28 and my 91 year old mom on December 20. I need a dream, and for a light to shine again – that’s what I’d like to read more about -it helps open the heart with hope. My work day today will be a little more uplifted because of reading your post – I’ll be thinking more positively on 2013 – the year of the dream- I really like that, I guess it was meant for me to check my e-mail this early in the morning! Thanks for the push towards possibilities. Your posts always give – and your book Pollen inspired me to write in 2012 and that was a great help in coping. Thank you, and may all YOUR dreams come true in 2013>
Dear Karol, I am so deeply sorry to hear this. What a year, my God!! And I thought my 2012 was hard!! That is truly a doozy which would demolish anyone’s sense of what’s up and what’s down. It was a year for that, but your year is a most extreme example. You have my deepest support, understanding and empathy, my friend. As you know from reading my poems, I am no stranger to the loss of a loved one…though so many, including a partner, in a year…is truly a journey into the dark night.
I do so hope I/we can help shine a light there. I will definitely take your request for uplifting and hope inspiring posts to heart.
You might want to check out Joan Didion’s “The Year of Magical Thinking,” a memoir about the year she lost both her daughter and her husband. Not exactly uplifting–may be too close to home — but check it out and see if it may be helpful in a de-isolating/solidarity type of way.
Another possible alley is The Great Fires by Jack Gilbert, a collection of poems about the loss of his wife.
Also, Pema Chodron writes wonderfully about that bare place pain can takes us — how to make it a meditation and find peace, but not in an unrealistic, Pollyanna type of way– in books like “Start Where You Are” and “When Things Fall Apart.” She’s a firecracker of a Buddhist nun and quite an effective, authentic and (I’ve found, often helpful) voice.
I’m glad you did write about it. Keep that up! Julia Cameron’s “The Artist’s Way” (might want to check that out as well as a creativity alley!) recommends doing “morning pages,” which are just 3-5 pages of whatever is on your mind, every morning — for no one to see but you. It’s a great “mental flush” that can produce unexpected gems among the dirty river water wash of mental purging it also encourages.
May 2013 offer you a fresh page and the stirring of new possibility.
On on,
Tai
Thank you so much for the books/ideas that you gave me- I am familiar with Pema Chodron and read, When things fall apart.- which was excellent. I appreciate you taking the time to give me some avenues that will help me on this journey. Bless you.
It’s my pleasure. Truly! I only wish I could help more!
Here’s another source of inspiration, Karol…a news site that prints only inspiring stories.
http://www.dailygood.org/
You’re wonderful – I went directly to the sight – and what caught my eye of course was – The Point of Being Alive -while not what I’d imagined, it was a beautiful, inspiring story and made me smile.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TAI (AND KAROL)…
Sometimes during massive periods of heartbreak and/or massive spurts of personal growth, when one doesn’t have the willpower or perhaps the time to see the beauty beyond the clouds, it’s the little things that count, like reading Tai’s gorgeous posts and other replies/messages from beautiful beings (Karol) travelling on this/our journey together.
Love, hugs, peace, healing and freedom! That’s my wish for everyone XO
Tanja
Thank you so much for this Tanja. Your comment telling me that my posts are a bright spot is my bright spot!
How’s that for poetic perfection?
Sending love, peace, hugs, healing and freedom right back!
May 2013 be a year of positive transformation and dream actualization for us all!
Love & light,
TC
You inspire me, Tai! You’ve been a big part in my spiritual growth over the past couple of years and I thank you for that. I am oh so excited that you will be writing more!! Looking forward to all that this year brings
Danica
Oh, thank you, Danica, that is amazing and quite humbling to hear. I am so inspired to know the posts have been so useful on your path. That right there is a dream realized for me. I so appreciate you articulating it.
Did you ever get The Prophet you won from last year’s New Years Give Away? I certainly sent it. And what did you think?
Sending lots of energetic support. May 2013 treat you well on your journey.
TC
I feel the same way about 2013. I always start out every year with big dreams but this year I have plans, too, about which I am so excited! That I think makes the beginning of 2013 a little different. I have my fingers crossed and I am leaping!
Wonderful!!! The best of luck with your leaping — in doing so, you’ve already won!! As my father used to say (a phrase that came to him in a dream, actually,) “The leap of faith is its own reward.”
On on!
TC
I look forward to and savor each and every one of your posts! Thanks for the service you provide to the world thru this blog
2012 was an intense year for me, but I’m literally buzzing with excitement for the amazing things that humanity has in store for 2013. It’s fascinating watching “the sky falling” all around us with protests, revolutions, wars, and corruption, while simultaneously knowing that this is just the purging process on the way to something so much greater than we can imagine!
Firstly, thank you so much for this heartfelt positive reinforcement. It really feeds my drive. And secondly, that is exactly my take on things. A definite purging process, individually and collectively, it seems to me — which completely indicates great liberation and “next level stuff” to come!
Excited to hear that others feel the same way.
On on!
TC
Sounds fantastic, keep up the great work
Thank you!! That is the hope and the plan.
On on!
TC
Reblogged this on Jonathan Hilton.
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to you!!! May it bring you positive transformation, love and joy.
TC
2012 was a challenge. I hope you’re right about 2013. Love the blog, by the way.
It was a challenge for me as well. It seems 2012 was a significant challenge for a lot of people. But at least it was a shared challenge! I find comfort in that. Makes it feel less like we’re all just pointlessly f–ing up and more like a purposeful and necessary collective metamorphosis.
And its very intensity indicates a possible release this year — let’s hope and make it so!
Thank you so much for the words of appreciation. I appreciate them in return.
Happy New Year!!
On on,
TC
I’m new to your site but find you all of your entries so thought provoking. I am looking forward to a fantastic 2013; I feel the positive energy all around me. A few things I’d love to see: does a predetermined blueprint exist for everyone when they are born and ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response).
Hi Wendy! So glad you found us. And thanks so much for the encouraging words ~ I’m so pleased the posts have achieved their aim! Certainly, thought provocation is the goal.
The Blue Print/Free Will/Destiny question is an excellent topic for exploration and I’ll most certainly do some research and a consequent post. It’s certainly a topic I’ve ruminated on myself and I’d love to do an in-depth investigation/presentation.
I’m new to ASMR but it sounds interesting and I’ll look into it for sure!
Happy 2013!
TC
For 2 13 I’m looking forward to regular posts from you (-:
Yay! I started my current in-process post last saturday with the idea that I would be able to publish it Sunday evening. Well, the subject (alchemy) turned out to be no small task to distill! Here I am a week later still working on it. But my hope is that most of the subjects won’t be so massive and nebulous as to pull me behind a week, as this one did. I’m definitely into the idea of maintaining a weekly (or at least semi-weekly) post. Inspired that you’re looking forward to it as well!
Cheers!!
TC
Reblogged this on African Origins' Weblog and commented:
Another inspiring blog post from Parallax. Let’s move towards a year of the dream.
Tai,
Me favorite posts involve mythology (not too new-agey), psychology, and culture.
Great to read you’ll be posting more!
And thanks for writing me name down and putting him in a real glass bowl. Warms me insides.
Happy 2013!
I love comparative mythology! I’ll make sure to write a post on that. Great idea!
Happy 2013!!
On on!
TC
2012, crazy, crazy for me.
Probably because I had fixated on the 21/12/12 for so, so long it created a personal culmination. When I first became aware of this I looked at the dystopia we have created and thought, it must be so.
My life had already been fractured from illness that had everything changed profoundly, that was over 24 years ago. My mind was opened more through new healing modalities and the people I meet, thou I had always had a fertile grounded mind, thanks Mum. Challenging times meet with challenging events, so many people, so many experiences, all make who I am now. Only the last few years I have truly had an understanding of life and it’s methods and it’s quite wonderful really, but it’s not so easy to see/understand yourself.
2012 for me was; frantic, that’s a good word to describe it. My pace escalated as the year went on, the way it had over the last 5. I was out of the country more than I was in; searching, for my home, a partner, me? Inspiration, ideas and projects just got the run around, nothing came to fruition. I’m fine with that, c’est la vie becomes my mantra, I know life’s much bigger than all this. The world kept yelling, screaming at me, the insanity of it all. I couldn’t understand how people could not see it, understand it, surely humanity will get that justified slap across the face.
But it didn’t and 2013 was born.
I am hoping for great, positive change, but I know it won’t come from governments, nor innovation, but from the individual.
I know for myself I am heading in the right direction, where that is still not sure, but with the understanding of how love and compassion can perform miracles and endeavouring to live my life as such, I know all is good.
Great Comment! I think a lot of people had a similar experience, with the 2012 date inducing personal culmination, even if simply from the extra depth of thought the implication of its mythology provided. There was definitely a frantic quality to it for me as well…and, I observed, others around me.
And true to the less sensationalist interpretation of the Mayan Codices, it was just the end of one era, one epoch, of history. Which it feels like! I know the past several years I have really started to look around, as you described, and see the world a little more from a bird’s eye view…the insanity of its systems.
I agree we are not going to see truly meaningful change from the governments, but from the individual. But as insane as the world can be, I do think, on an individual level, more and more people are waking up in the way you described…
It seems to have been a quite full year for everybody. Highs, lows, intense…2013 has the blank slate quality almost of a bonus year, a year we didn’t all expect even to see…and I’ve kind of been digging that about it.
Best of luck in this new epoch, this new blank slate year.
On on!
TC
Cheers
I forgot to leave a thank you for your delightful posts, so thank you, very much. It brings a ray of light to us all.
Oh, thank you! That is a delight for me to hear! Certainly my aim. So thanks for sayin’!
TC
I definitely feel an excitement for this year, and it seems those seekers/dreamers around me (the few!) feel the same… There seems to be a growing energy level that increases as more people are waking up and reaching out… it feels like an amazing time to be here, and it has just begun. Thank you for your posts… they are very inspiring.
Oh, and in regards to 2012…. It was the final stretch/culmination of a lot of chaos and craziness. I learned that I needed to hang on and ride through it, while also having to take control in order to stop tumbling around. I feel that it proved to be the final dip before the rise… at least that is how it feels at this moment.
Interesting! On on!! And thank you so very much for your positive feedback! That inspires me.
Dreamers unite!!
TC