The old man of the woods made his first meager steps into the Ice Palace. The glistening beauty was stunning. Nature was quiet under her blanket of ice. The trees did bow. The crack of the fallen could be heard in the distance. No hikers. No explorers. A pause.

We need a pause. A reset. A pondering of our present distress. The frenetic fury of change has left us crippled. We are maimed by self-doubt. The business of living has sapped life. Empty vessels seeking fulfillment. A halcyon time for conmen charlatans and thieves. We look behind us searching for answers.

Cold focuses the mind. Ice freezes movement. ‘Please, sir, I want some more,’ Oliver Twist said. ‘Desperate with hunger, and reckless with misery,’ he asks for another bowl of weak porridge.

So it goes…when will we follow the pristine example of our dear departed President Jimmy Carter and live the Christian message of humility and service? Shall we be recognized for our rhetoric or our lived reality?

We are the star of our story. Many of our actions directly result from how we see ourselves. Will we break free from our frozen condition to benefit our children or will we feel best doing the things that suit our needs?

Happy New Year… giving this greeting on January 9, 2025, is still alright. Much will happen to us during our New Year. We hope to lose some weight. To be better people. We engage in the pursuit of happiness. Each day is a chapter in our book. Some chapters are support structures for the plot. Other chapters are critical plot turning points.

‘This year I will make each day count,’ Chet said. ‘I shall keep a diary to ensure I am moving toward my goals,’ Chet continued. ‘By the end of 2025 I shall have written my book,’ Chet said with a wink and grin. ‘I will write of our capture in the Ice Palace…our failure to accomplish our journey due to our frozen condition, Chet said giving a preview of his work.

‘Who will be the main character,’ asked Jane? Where is the Ice Palace located, Jane continued? ‘Will there be a Sloth…I love Sloths,’ Jane laughed.

‘Funny you would mention the Sloth as he inspires me,’ Chet responded. ‘Mr. Sloth is looked upon as lazy or not producing what he is capable of but I see him as a methodical thinker,’ Chet explained. ‘Mr. Sloth is always about his business of improvement with a smile and a song…on his timetable,’ Chet grinned.

‘Ice Palace is ruled by an evil Princess who distorts reality and causes her subjects to lose time, Chet said somberly. ‘Once a person fails they tend to fear trying again and thus become ensnared in the Ice Palace where they feel safe and secure but fail at their calling,’ Chet said. ‘Each of us has a Calling… God-given talents for others to benefit from…Ice Princess robs us of those gifts,’ Chet said with downcast eyes.