Sunday night, I was lucky enough to be in the car at the right time to listen to all of Fiona Ritchie’s Thistle and Shamrock radio show. It’s good all year round but her holiday shows are worth every minute and this year was a special gem.

After a few opening tunes, she paused to talk about the season and shared this prayer-song from Ghana which I hope to remember each day next year:

Journeying god, pitch your tent with mine
so that I may not become deterred
by hardship, strangeness, doubt;
show me the movement I must make
toward a wealth not dependent on possessions
toward a wisdom not based on books
toward a strength not bolstered by might
toward a god not confined to heaven.
Help me to find myself
as I walk in others’ shoes.

And so on this night when much of the world pauses, I send out good thoughts and strength to those who need it, love to all and best wishes for a joy-filled year ahead.