Celebrating you, yes you, with a special gift!

It’s been several years now where you could be excused for thinking gravity is going to stop working next.  War, conflict, famine, climate change, political upheaval, gender-based violence, racism, and more are all top of mind.

It’s enough to leave us talkin’ about a revolution.

That or being overwhelmed, uptight, and thinking it’s all in my head (the unwritten rule of self-blame and flagellation versus recognizing systemic and structural issues are at play).

It doesn’t have to be this way. 

There ain’t no reason to think we’re waiting in vain.These shadows are not impenetrable.

Each day, with the morning sun, once again we rise up.

The sunrise, time after time, holds our attention and helps us lift our heads.

Perspective is everything.

The view from the top of the world is equally as valid as the view under the sea.

In fact, with multiples of mercy required now, with these precious differences, as we dance with diversity, know you’ll never walk alone.

We journey on, saying no to injustice, because we can’t go for that – no can do.

Somebody like you, somebody like us, taking up the slack, while humming a sweet lullaby to soothe our souls.

Come down from your consternation, breathe deeply for life goes on.

I’ll meet you at the light.

Choose love.

Know you’re always bienvenue chez moi.

Don’t forget to express yourself, as your mad skills and talents are what the world needs.

You lead me on.

Wela’lin, merci, asante, thank you.

Next year is almost upon us.

It’s almost time to turn the page to 2025.  

But not before you check out the playlist I made from all the italicized words above.  Your playlist is below – written out, plus a made-for-you playlist on YouTube!

Take a look and listen

1. Talkin’ bout a revolution – Tracy Chapman
2. Uptight (everything’s alright) – Stevie Wonder
3. All in my head – the Linda Lindas
4. Unwritten – Natasha Bedingfield
5. It doesn’t have to be this way – Andre Henry
6. Ain’t no reason – Brett Dennen
7. Waiting in vain – Andre Henry
8. These shadows – Wooden Shjips
9. Morning Sun – Melody Gardot
10. Rise Up – Andra Day
11. Sunrise – Norah Jones
12. Time after time – Taimangalimaaq – Elisapie
13. Attention – Rouge Rouge
14. On top of the world – Imagine Dragons
15. Under the sea – Shaggy
16. Mercy now- Mary Gauthier
17. You’ll never walk alone – Marcus Mumford
18. I can’t go for that – no can do – Darl Hall and John Oates
19. Somebody Like You – Keith Urban
20. Slack key lullabye – Ledward Kaapana, Mike Kaawa
21. Come Down – Peter Katz
22. Breathe – Emma Nissen
23. Life goes on – Ed Sheeran, Luke Combs
24. Meet you at the light – Desiree Dawson
25. Choose love- Emmanuel Jal, Storry
26. Bienvenue chez moi – Guylaine Tanguay
27. Express yourself – Charles Wright and the Watts 103rd Street  Rhythm Band
28. It leads me on – Andrea Guerra
29. Wela’lin (thank you) – Emma Stevens
30. Thank u, next – Vitamin String Quartet

Now go on and learn, laugh, and lead

Learn

• Surprise! Here’s your gift. Check out the playlist I made for you of all the italicized words.

Laugh

• Watch Usain Bolt literally defy gravity.

Lead

• I’ve done similar type playlists in previous years which you can watch and read about here:
• Watch and read reflections on 2023
• Watch and read reflections on 2022
• Watch and read reflections on 2021
• Watch and read reflections on 2020
• Watch and read reflections on 2019