It's always darkest before the dawn.
So hard to believe, when that darkness engulfs, that
Hope is a small, wavering flame.

One year on, I see how that flame has persisted in my life
And while I tried and tried to get my bearings
It was burning bright but small,
Waiting for me to touch it to more substance.

I explored my new life, fought battles and endured.
I tried new ways to do what I had done before.
I thought that my inspiration would deliver me, and yet
I had failure, after failure, after failure.

As the year closes, as the snow falls, I see the candle flame
And I think I know. I see a canvas to paint, words to write, joy to ignite,
I see my life to burst forth in so many ways!

And yet I know that careful dabbling will keep the candle small.

My talents wait to be ignited,
I know that once I touch the flame to what I have been longing to do, the fire will burn brightly,
And I will be afraid. I have never burned brightly like that.
I have been a controlled flame, enough to warm my hands. Now,
I am starting a blaze that could shed light on the whole world.

My gifts are in that flame, and as I believe in my strengths,
I will unleash them in their fullness and glory.