One day in 2015, my soul-mate asked me, looking back on our many years together, which year was my favorite, and I told her 2016 because I try to believe the best is yet to come. I couldn’t have been more wrong. 2016 was a horrible year for so many of us, in so many ways. I don’t remember ever feeling such desperation to turn the page on a year. Still, if she asked me today which was my favorite I’d say 2017.
A lot of garbage has built up in my life over the past few years and the time has come to throw it out. It will take a revolution of will to get rid of the garbage and replace it with something new and better. So, in 2017 I will:
Replace the past with the future
Replace indulgence with sacrifice
Replace desire with detachment
Replace silence with music
Replace anger with forgiveness
Replace arguments with compliments
Replace fear with humor
Replace booze with meditation
Replace frustration with acceptance
Replace politics with art
Replace desperation with determination
Replace intoxication with enlightenment
Replace complaints with laughter
Replace bewilderment with introspection
Replace introversion with engagement
Replace recrimination with understanding
Replace obstruction with tolerance
Replace intelligence with wisdom
Replace regret with redemption
Replace bitterness with tenderness
Replace intolerance with compassion
Replace resistance with flow
Replace longing with patience
Replace loneliness with love
To anyone I’ve hurt, annoyed, or made uncomfortable, I ask forgiveness.
To anyone who has hurt me, grudges are another thing I’m kicking to the curb.
As 2016 goes by, I am letting bygones be bygones
Happy New Year
Words & Music by Mike Power 