Ever since I was a small child I've love to write.  At first that meant that I found pleasure in the physical act of writing - as funny as it sounds, I really liked the physical act of making letters, words and sentences.  For me, handwriting was fun.  As a kid I'd sit and fill pages with my handwriting, enjoying every minute of it (and consequently I have pretty nice handwriting).

But over time my interest in writing changed from the physical act of writing to my ability to communicate through the medium of the written word.  I found writing to be a creative outlet for my thoughts and feelings:  I had found my own creative "voice."

How do you access your creative voice?  What makes you happy even when you just think about doing it?  Whatever it is for you, how can you bring more of it into your life?  Philosopher Henry David Thoreau said "Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them."

Let's challenge Thoreau.  A life of quiet desperation isn't for me, and I suspect it's not for you either. That's why writing a blog is important to me.  It helps me become my more creative, better, happier self.  I would love to hear what you've identified as a way not to go to the grave with the song still in you.

Here's a virtual toast to the New Year and a world filled with joyous song!