I’m not one for resolutions, but I do believe in intention. I’ve been thinking about this next year, and the ones after, and how I want to navigate them. The same words keep coming back to me: Clarity, Focus, Steadiness and Compassion.

In just twenty days, a new administration takes the helm. The next four years will be difficult. We will witness many ugly things. I made a promise to myself that I intend to honor —to navigate these next four years with greater clarity, focus and steadfastness than I did the first four years of his administration. 

We may be angry, and broken hearted, but let us do our best to focus our energy to effect change, to move through these next years with clarity and resolve. Unloading on social media feeds the rage machine, but doesn’t help us protect vulnerable populations, or win local, state and federal elections or take back the House in 2026 and the Presidency in 2028. Responding to each of his relentless crazy proclamations doesn’t help us strengthen our Democracy for the battles ahead. Take the long-view. Work towards supporting independent journalists and thinkers, organizations working to protect our democracy, our democratic institutions and the leaders who work to protect them on local, state and federal levels.

Retreat when you need to refuel, but re-emerge when ready. Connect with others and give back to those around you who need your kindness and your light—Fascism thrives on confusion, diversion, division and hopelessness. Make a commitment that you will not bow down or obey in advance.

Time to get down to what matters most—the health of our minds, bodies and spirits. The health and safety of our family, our friends and our communities. Any action you take to care for yourselves and your loved ones is worthy. Any action that you take to shore up our democracy is worthy. No action is too small, and no one can carry the immensity of these struggles alone. We are stronger together and together we will get through this.

Find your people. And if writing in a supportive community of good souls calls to you, join me in one of my upcoming circles, or for my free monthly community writing circles (links below). No one is alone. We’re in this together.

Wishing you clarity, steadiness and much love,

Dayna

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New eight-week rounds of Women’s Writing Circles begin in January: Zoom: Tuesday, January 14th, 4 PM PT to 5:30 PM PT, and in-person classes in my Bay Area home: Friday, January 17th, 10 AM to Noon. https://www.daynamacy.com/writing-circles for more info. Email me with any questions! $360 for series. If you are experiencing financial challenges, reach out!

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As part of my commitment to supporting my community, I will be offering a free monthly writing class “Come Together: A Community Writing Practice,” the first Thursday of every month. This class will be open to both men and women. The next class is Thursday, February 6th, 5 PM PT to 6:30 PM PT.

Here is the registration link.

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RETREAT!

Come join our Women’s Writing and Yoga Retreat, Sunday, April 27th at Zannah Flower Farm in Santa Rosa! Held at Zannah’s beautiful finished barn, we will write to move our spirits and move to stretch and strengthen our bodies, all in a circle of love and support! Nourishing and yummy lunch, snacks, and homemade chai tea included! 10 am to 4 pm.

I am so happy to co-lead this retreat with my beautiful and wise friend Chrisandra Fox, whom I first met over 20 years ago when she was an in-house yoga teacher for Yoga Journal. Retreat cost: $250. Email dayna@daynamacy.com for more information.

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Even the smallest connections matter…

Poem:

How Things Work

BY GARY SOTO

Today it’s going to cost us twenty dollars

To live. Five for a softball. Four for a book,

A handful of ones for coffee and two sweet rolls,

Bus fare, rosin for your mother’s violin.

We’re completing our task. The tip I left

For the waitress filters down

Like rain, wetting the new roots of a child

Perhaps, a belligerent cat that won’t let go

Of a balled sock until there’s chicken to eat.

As far as I can tell, daughter, it works like this:

You buy bread from a grocery, a bag of apples

From a fruit stand, and what coins

Are passed on helps others buy pencils, glue,

Tickets to a movie in which laughter

Is thrown into their faces.

If we buy a goldfish, someone tries on a hat.

If we buy crayons, someone walks home with a broom.

A tip, a small purchase here and there,

And things just keep going. I guess.