Tabula Rasa

     

     Dictionary.com defines the term “Tabula Rasa” as anything existing undisturbed in its original pure state. It’s origin is from the Latin words meaning scraped table, or more commonly translated as “clean slate”. I learned this phrase from a high school writing assignment my son brought home from his English class a few years ago. I liked the sound of the phrase, and more importantly, I liked the meaning behind it.

     With a new year upon us, I’m adopting Tabula Rasa as my catch-phrase for 2015. Imagine the year stretched out in front of you, a virtual blank slate for you to shape into anything you want. New beginnings. A fresh start. Unlimited possibilities. A white canvas, full of nothing, waiting for me to paint it with colors I choose. The possibilities are endless.

     Tumultuous 2014 was a trying time for the entire world. Disease, terrorism, civil unrest – it was hard to find a glimmer of positivity as the year wore on. On a personal level, my year was eventful as well. My roller coaster ride through life continued at break-neck speed. The high point was my son’s wedding last January; the low point was biting my fingernails while waiting approval for student loans so my youngest son could continue his education at Berklee College of Music. Sandwiched in between were the usual medical dramas and days full of life’s little surprises that always catch me off guard no matter how prepared I think I am.

     2015 feels different already. I’m approaching the calendar as a year of opportunity and change. My own personal philosophy is that each one of us creates our own reality. Make sure you create a reality to your liking. Combine these thoughts with my “tabula rasa” mentality, and I am not intimidated by the year to come. I am looking forward to shaping my life the way I want it to be.

     Easier said than done. I’m taking small steps, one day at a time, to make things happen the way I want them to. There will always be things beyond my control, but the way a person handles situations that arise is a true test of inner resolve. We can’t control adversity, but we can control our reaction to it.

     I see big changes on the horizon. My son is expecting his first child, expanding our family tree into the future. I'm happily moving up a notch to make room for the next generation.

     I'm ready to open myself up to the waiting arms of the universe and let it take me headlong into infinity. And I’m ready to explore each and every experience my universe has to offer. Bring on the blank canvas of 2015 and let me paint the best and brightest picture I can with what I have to work with. Let me mold my experiences to make things better for everyone I come in contact with. This year, if I’m the only person I encounter who has a positive attitude, that’s enough for me.