We have a tradition in my house that when one of my sons asks me What time is it? I answer with the correct time and add, and all’s well. 11:25, and all’s well. 4:48, and all’s well. 12:01, and all’s well.
All’s well.
I can’t remember when I started saying it or why or where I must have picked up the idea. It doesn’t even matter. It’s part of our family culture now. We’re so busy; our schedules are very hectic. It’s a great way to pause for a minute and breathe and check in with a precise moment. To be present. At least for a tiny instant.
I was thinking about this today: all’s well. Everyone’s reflecting on the year, and sometimes what comes to the forefront is the bad, the tragic. It can be hard to believe we’ll ever really be well.
But then a child will ask, What time is it? 3:57, and all’s well. Right here. This space we share right now. Together. We’re together. We have breath and heart and soul and each other. We have each other.
So, as it is New Year’s Eve, I started to think not only about all the love we have and need (man, oh man, do we need to meet each other with more love) but also about other habitual blessings and toasts and prayers and wishes. Lots of you are posting them on Facebook today. For example, a friend posted this quote from Neil Gaiman:
“May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art — write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.”
Live as only you can. Kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful. Isn’t that lovely?
I was also thinking about one of my favorite toasts:
“Here’s to the ones we love and the ones that love us. If the ones we love don’t love us, to hell with them, and here’s to us.”
I think there’s a more colorful version of it that I love even more, but it’s not coming to mind.
Anyway! Will you help me celebrate the New Year by sharing with me your favorite toasts, wishes, blessings and prayers? Fill the comments with love and warmth and gratitude. And yes, of course, humor and hijinks welcome.
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