What the New Year Means to Me

 What does the new year mean to me?

I don't know. 

I think it just means that I can give myself another chance to try, fail, succeed.  

I think it means that I can spend time with family, differently this time.

I think it means that I can connect with people and with myself, in new ways. 

I also think that it gives me a chance to see things with a different lens. The kaleidoscope becomes a periscope.

I don't know what else. Every year, I put on a new pair of goggles. Every year, I grow, whether I try, or not.

Some things may work as I had expected them to, some may not.

But who knows? 

I will allow myself to be Novak Djokovic in my arena, who hears his name when the crowd cheers for Nadal or Federer.

I will allow myself to be Rafael Nadal, who always has a plan, no matter how bleak or bright things may seem, and sticks to it.

I will allow myself to be Roger Federer, who glides in, serves, plays and walks out, all in grace and style.

I will allow myself to be the Naomi Osaka that sets boundaries for herself and is not ashamed to lay them out.

I will allow myself to be the Serena Williams who shows up and carries the match with dignity, determination and swagger.

I'll volley the ball. It might hit the net. I might sprain an ankle, I might break. 

But the ball will soon be replaced, and a new one will be thrown to me. 

I think I'll take it, thank you. I've fallen before; it hurts less each time.

The ball is now in my court. And ladies and gentlemen, I enjoy it.