My New Year's Wish for You

Ok, it’s not quite New Year’s yet - it’s only Christmas Eve Day! But I received this lovely poem in my mailbox today and had to share it. Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

My New Year’s Wish for You
If 2010 were a fruit
may it be savory, ripe and juicy
If it were a tree
may it branch in exciting new directions
If it were a sunrise
may it be as warm as it will be radiant
If it were a garden
may it sprout unexpected hybrid delights
If it were an animal
may it be both fierce protector and gentle companion
If it were a building 
may it contain the solid foundation from which you structure
If it were a warrior
may it guard your dreams and boldly assert your truth
If it were a lover
may it love and hug you into Being
If it were royalty
may it adorn you with the finest, most vibrant threads of Life
If it were a weaver
may it weave the fabric of your most sacred vision into fruition
If it were an alchemist
may it transform yours shadows into expressed voice
If it were a friend 
may it be your best and most true
If it were a teacher
may its lessons be those of aliveness
If it were a storyteller
may it tell a hero’s tale
If it were an improviser
may it yes-and your wildest hopes
If it were a comedian
may it keep you laughing 
If it were a party
may it be of the surprise kind
If it were a drum
may it beat to your natural rhythm
If it were a dance
may it move you in ways you forgot you could move
If it were a musician
may it play a harmonious and ever-diverse mix
If it were a song
may its melody resonate the heavens
If it were a word
may it be the loudest Yes ever spoken
And if 2010 were raw creativity
may it be YOURS
…full, whole and completely unabashed!

~ by Michelle James

Michelle James is the founder of the Center for Creative Emergence and is a pioneering creativity catalyst who has been using universal creative principles and the process of emergence as the basis for her work with thousands of people - individuals, corporations and communities - since starting her first business in 1994. Michelle’s passion is infusing creativity and imagination into current knowledge and information systems for individual, organizational and social transformation. Her commitment is to “mainstream” creativity, engaging the creative potential in organizations and other human systems.

'tis the season for cranberry creations

I bought some fresh cranberries a while ago and wasn’t sure what to do with them. But after a little searching, I was amazed at the versatility of these health-packed, antioxidant rich little gems. First I made an avocado & cranberry salsa. It was delicious served with a simple white fish. Then I used them chopped up and sprinkled into salads. I liked them mixed with chopped apples and sunflower seeds with just a touch of honey then scooped onto a bed of mixed greens. But this morning I decided to put them in the vitamix - it was a good decision. Here’s the recipe I made:

• 1/2 cup of fresh cranberries
• 1 navel orange
• 1/2 extra large ruby red grapefruit
• 1 large handful of mixed greens
• 3/4 cup cold filtered water and some ice

For me this is a perfect mix of sweet and tart. If you want to sweeten it a little more, add another orange or a little honey. I’ve also mixed in a few frozen cherries in the past and it was really good. Enjoy!