Want to feel burning flames When you say my name Want to feel passion flow into my bones Like blood through my veins

I wrote this on December 21, 2013 for a participatory piece called ‘Wish Tree’ at Yoko Ono’s ‘War Is Over’ exhibition at the MCA. I really didn’t like myself at the time and I didn’t think anything would change in the upcoming year, hence the “I wish.” But 2014 was a year of unexpectedly good times and emotional revelation. Most of my experiences last year were better than I thought they would be. I learned a lot about myself and really came to appreciate the treasure I have in the people I call my family and friends. I have a great relationship with God again and although it’s still difficult for me to break out of my shell or speak up sometimes, I’m trying every day, in small ways, to have the courage to be authentic and true to me. I’m learning how to be a more confident person and happy in who I am. 

We can all get down on ourselves when something doesn’t turn out the way we wanted it to or when we think upon how our lives are nothing like the way they ought to be by now. I learned in such times to replace self-pity with self-love. Celebrate yourself even when you don’t feel like you’ve done anything right and, more importantly, just be open and willing. Open to the fact that no situation is permanent. Things will most definitely look up as long as you do. Even if one, two, or ten aspects of your life are falling apart or failing to come together, there are still many joys in it that deserve your attention. Just enjoy where you are right now and don’t let anything kill your hope because in the middle of the night, in the morning, on another week, a new year, now and always, the whole of life says anything could happen. 

And sometimes wishes come true.