Patty Mayeux Blog

This year I’m adopting a focus word for 2024; one to ground me, spur me on toward an inward or outward goal. I’m trained to be a keen observer. That can translate to deep passion on all sides – love but also judgement, joy but also fear, excitement but also agitation. While seeking signs of beauty and creation, ugliness and destruction can peek through. 

Perhaps my word should be Grace. Both noun and verb forms represent many worthy goals, like becoming less clumsy or clunky. Grace would be a gift to offer others (and myself). Loved ones reading these publicly announced intentions, please be gentle when I vary from this path. I’m an imperfect work that can only strive for progress, not perfection. I’ll continue to speak out against racism, prejudice, fear-based agendas, for how can I not? Can I do so while holding grace in my heart? Grace toward those who insult me when they dismiss others based on differences? Grace to imagined or real attacks on my character (or worse, my needy ego)? I’m willing to give it a try. Grace was my mother’s name. May the memory of her laughter and creative spirit indwell my own when passion flares toward misunderstanding or judgement. May Grace inform this coming year.