2025 & Some Christmas Eve-Eve Perspective

Hello Fearless Readers!

I’ve heard the expression “the days are long but the years are short” several times this year, mostly used in connection with parenting.

In a similar vein, I’ve been noticing that I often open my blog posts with something to the tune of “how time has been flying by,” but with that in mind, it feels like this year, truly, time has done just that.

So, in the thick of the holidays, and looking back on 2025, what do I have to say for this year?

A part of me feels the need to go into list format and mention that:

• While the Audiobook of Finding Silvereyes will not be out in time for Christmas, it is progressing forward. I’ll be sure to announce when it’s available, most likely in mid-January. You’re in for a treat with this one, as the narration by the talented Gabe Walsh-Shore sounds fantastic! Feel free to check him out on Instagram (and let him know you’re looking forward to the audiobook).

• I’m continuing to plug away at Book #3, which I am trying to make time for when I have spare moments and brain space. A part of me wishes this process were faster. I have so many ideas, and it feels like my internal critic keeps me stuck at where I’m most dissatisfied with my writing, and then gives me grief for not writing more.
  

  At the same time, when I do finally make headway, there’s a lot of relief in writing something that I’m really proud of.

  I want Book #3 to be the wrap-up of the Quantum Parables trilogy, and as such, there is a lot for me to try to weave together. It’s bittersweet to think of ending this story (or at least this stage of it), but I think it would be more disappointing, for you and for me, to leave Andy’s story where book 2 left off and never pick it up again.

• My new engineering job has been rewarding but time-consuming. I’ve been incredibly lucky to be able to find a position that gives me some amount of time for writing, but even so, it’s a stretch. I guess that brings me back to my bigger point.

Coming out of list-mode, 2025 has been a strange year, with much done and much left to do. I’ve felt tired and burned out, and also restless at times. But, as I look back at the conclusion of this year, I’m reminded that so much of my overall impression of this trip around the sun comes down to how I choose to see it. There have been times when I have made mistakes, fallen short, and disappointed myself and others. There are things left undone, and results that I could wish were different. But, there have also been times of joy, adventure, and blessings, of good company, and of remembering that, in the grand scheme of things, my life could be so, so much worse.

There is evidence for both mindsets, but the way that I choose to see the past paints a lot of how I end up seeing the future, and that brings me back to the moment.

Right here, right now, with all of the Christmas/ holiday busyness, there are a lot of other things that I could be doing besides sitting down and writing out my thoughts on a confusing time. But by taking this moment to look back and think about the good stuff from this year, I’m a little more encouraged about the next.

Somewhere in the midst of your plans (whatever they may be), I hope that you get a chance to do the same.

All the best, and a wonderful season to you.

Daniel