My journal entry skipped around with different topics, some of which I am not comfortable putting online. However, it included a portion that most definitely is my gratitude for today - so I will type out the excerpts of that section.

A bit of context beforehand, however. I belong to a wonderful Friday meditation and journaling community called Artist Morning, run by Darius Bashar. This week instead of our normal format, we went through an exercise to plan one concept to embrace as our North Star for 2026 - a short theme to summarize how we will expand our lives and guide us toward personal growth.

During the brainstorming session, I was mulling a few different words as my theme: Explore, Dream, Commit, Fearless, Flow. I've been reflecting on them as I've been stitching today, and my heart knew exactly which one I needed to land on.

That led me to tonight's entry excerpt:

I've done a bit more thinking on the North Star exercise from Artist Morning yesterday. My North Star theme for 2026 will be "Commit." I have no problems starting things. It's seeing them through. It's just the logical path for growth. The exploration and dreaming I was mulling will feed into that commitment. So yes - here I go:

My 2026 North Star is Commit.

My [Creative] Project for 2026 is my first novel.

My Key Relationship to nurture in 2026 is a community of writers.

My Breakthrough for 2026: I am a published author.

It makes me excited. It makes me terrified. Ultimately - it's a plan that makes me feel alive. That is how I know it's the right one. It is true and real and most definitely out of my comfort zone. It will take steps of courage that will challenge every ounce of my introverted self.

That is my Sixth Day of the December Gratitude Project - the embrace of my voice. I am grateful for my gift of writing and the ability to express myself in the way that feels most natural to me... a pen, some paper, and my brain rushing ahead of my hand.

It's time for me to expand the innate gift into something to share with the world, however clumsy it may be at times.

~ Mel.

I have decided to do a 31 consecutive days of The December Gratitude Challenge in December. Keep your fingers crossed!:) #TheDecemberGratitudeChallenge