New Year's Assertions

So its another New Year. I feel blessed. Blessed to still be here, above all. Blessed that my family members are still here. Blessed that 2017 wasn't really all that bad. In retrospect, I would even say it was a GOOD YEAR. Yes, there were problems. Ups and downs. Losses. Struggles. But then again there was growth. Positive changes. Poignant realizations. Assertions - ah, yes, assertions. When undefeatable boldness surfaces to the top and you feel like NOTHING or NO ONE can stop you from reaching your goal. When you stand firm in your resolve because you KNOW that God is on your side, and even your enemies can't bring you down! Assertions that carry you through the hard times, like a warrior. 

I guess assertions are like resolutions. Only stronger. Resolutions are more like "suggestions". Most people make them with no more a thought than when they brush their teeth. Oh, it's New Years - guess I need to make s resolution or two. You know - just to look good. Yea, so, I'll drop five pounds by Spring. Maybe even join a gym, for good measure. And yeah, I guess I could give up Facebook for a month or so - but you can still reach me on Twitter or Instagram. Eat healthier? Sure. I'll just order a salad with my cheeseburger, instead of fries. Oh wait, let's start that NEXT week... You get the picture. Assertions are different. Note this definition I found online:

​"the action of stating something or exercising authority
confidently and forcefully"
​

Wow! Pretty bold, huh? "exercising authority confidently and forcefully". I don't know about you, but that sounds a little more SERIOUS than a "resolution", don't ya think? It's like a rhythmic yoga chanting or something. Something that MEANS something. Not just words. Not just lip service. Not a mere suggestion or "good idea". No, an assertion means BUSINESS. Like a contract you can't back out of - at least not without stiff penalties! Like a marriage vow. Oh, wait - that's not a good example nowadays, lol! Maybe more like a loan contract. You know, that 147 page document you have to sign in triplicate and produce five forms of identification to prove you're you. Yeah - THAT kind of seriousness. Assertions are definitely NOT for the faint of heart!

This year - this NEW YEAR - I've decided to make ASSERTIONS, rather than RESOLUTIONS - specifically in regards to my writing. Not because I need motivation, so much, but because I want to carve out more room in my "attic-filled life" to do MORE of what I love. And that is to WRITE. And not just books. But just to write. About life. About anything. Just to have the hot-tub luxury of sitting down at my bohemian typewriter (laptop) and "make beautiful music" with the keys. Heck, it doesn't even have to be beautiful - just "side B" melodies. ANYTHING, just to get those corroded, jumbled-up thoughts OUT of my head, and into SOME form of literal meaning. To sweep out the dusty cobwebs in the dark corners of my mind, and create a new place for fresh thoughts and new ideas to form! In short, I am ASSERTING that I WILL write MORE in 2018. Maybe not Hemingway-worthy writing. Maybe not even words that anyone else ever reads. Or WANTS to read. But that's not important.

As any writer knows, writing is like an addiction. A writer feels his best when he's writing. And his worst. Writing hurts so good. And like any good addiction, it makes you want MORE. Only, life gets in the way and there's no TIME for more. That's when the writer goes into WITHDRAWALS. I'm talking cold sweat, knees to the chest withdrawals. Writing is the curse - and the drug - that keeps a writer addicted. Like love. Yeah, writing is like the worst love affair you've ever had. Because even after it ended,and you KNOW it was for the best that it ended, you STILL want to do it again. When the pain wears off, the withdrawal sets in. It's a vicious cycle. But its an addiction I can't live without. And that's why I want and HAVE to make this my New Year's ASSERTION.

As a New Year boldly intrudes in on the frayed hems of the past year, are you making resolutions or assertions? If you're a writer, are you picking yourself up from an empty corner of "word-withdrawals", and asserting your need AND desire to write MORE in 2018? Or are you choosing NOT to resolve or assert anything AT ALL? NOT making a choice is STILL making a choice. Where will YOUR decision leave you when THIS year ends?

Happy New Year everyone, and Happy Assertions for a MORE productive and assertive 2018!