First thought, best thought… a phrase I’ve only recently become aware of, as echoed by none other than Mr. Johnny Depp, in speaking of his profound admiration for poet Allen Ginsberg. But more on that in a moment.

Feedback is a funny thing. Sometimes, quite literally humorous; but often, it provides just the sort of objective perspective you’re seeking. Short of one rather significant piece penned this year {again, hold that thought}, it’s been just about a full revolution around the sun since I’ve managed to craft anything resembling a column. No particular reason; but also, no particular inspiration.

And then, in an email exchange with a pseudo colleague of sorts, came this assessment, in part:

‘… I love the vignettes and the way your writing is personal and reflective and also kind of dreamy and thoughtful. You balance deep thinking with a casual tone and warm voice.’

Personal and reflective. Dreamy and thoughtful. Deep, yet casual. Warm. All that, from a cursory glance at my website, a haven for some ‘favorite’ clips from the past, virtually abandoned since the winter of 2021. How to dig deep and channel all that again, somehow.

That’s the thing about any type of passion project. It requires constant fuel to feed the fire. Absent that, it becomes a chore. While I have a similar, perhaps more well-documented love of photography, it too has fallen by the wayside for extended periods. Much like writer’s block, there are times when every shot finds its way to the deleted folder.

But, as we gather our memories from the last year in preparation for annual salutes and retrospective assessments of our respective lives, perhaps we should take a few moments to dig through those discarded shots, those half-composed thoughts.

Life, though we may strive for perfection, is not meant to be lived in portrait mode. It’s the in between split seconds that wind up being far more memorable — the candid captures, the unexpected laughter and tears, random encounters and natural serenity which surrounds us.

This year, for me, seemed at first rather unremarkable, minus a few notable highlights. But, upon further reflection, as I swiped through thousands of photos on my phone in an attempt to select a mere 365 ‘seconds’ that truly encapsulated ‘22, I realized what a difficult task it was.

From family milestones to solo road trips to a generous helping of friendship and fun adventures, as we continue to inch back toward ‘normalcy,’ it’s clear that these moments are it. All of it. The perfect life we crave, surrounded by those we love while doing whatever it is we choose to fill our minutes with.

It might be a day cut off from reality, diving into a good book or tv series, zoning out to music while soaking in the sun. It might be a frenzied week spent meeting the actor you most admire after spontaneously entering an online contest, attending a concert by same said also-musician, waiting outside a certain stage door for a combined 10 hours over two days, then penning a review of such concert, only to find out your writing has been shared with the man personally.

Unlikely? Indeed. But it just might be moments like this that make up a year in the life. {For those who may not have been following along at home, we’ve come full circle back to the JD connection.}

And when you consider the number of things which need to occur, to line up perfectly each and every day — well, it’s truly astounding the chance encounters, the once in a lifetime experiences, the amazing good fortune we’re each blessed with, isn’t it?

More often, we focus on all that could have been, should have been, will likely never be. But what about what is? Those people we’ve had the pleasure to cross paths with, the countless ways in which they’ve enriched our lives, the incredible journey we’re each on, whether we slow down and take the time to realize it or not.

It’s these fine lines between {excuse the slight bastardization of the lyric} madness and euphoria that color our consciousness and cause us to categorically determine whether a day, or year, has been ‘good’ or ‘bad.’ In reality, time is a fluid construct, and any so-called fresh starts strictly a state of mind.

If January 1 is your clean slate, so be it. But recognize that every moment has the potential to be unexpectedly beautiful in its own right, whether you’ve flipped the page or chosen to settle in and reread it a few more times.

Just don’t linger too long. You might miss a great photo op.

Last thought, best thought.

Here’s to you, on your respective journeys, wherever they may lead. Happy New Year.