2023 has been one heck of a ride. I mean, wow.
This is the year when so many assumptions collapsed because we did not pretend. I will have other thoughts on the year upon better reflection, even some predictions that might seem a little “out there”. Then again, I’m not exactly known for following the herd safety formula.
However, as the eve winds down, and as we are given to considering everything that has taken place, a revisit to the spiritual core of our association is appropriate.
For me, this year provided many memorable gifts; almost all were driven by a purposeful God reminding me to keep poking my head into the human mechanics of common presumptions. Nothing is more empowering than listening to His message, being completely lost yet jumping on faith, and then finding out the wow; why it was necessary to put prayer in front of fear.
Yup, we are about to walk into entirely new challenges. Perhaps we are not prepared, perhaps we will all test our faith, perhaps we will discover new limits to our exhaustion, perhaps we will discover we are much stronger than we realize. One of the reasons for my optimism is that I think the latter is assured.
I believe we are stronger than we give ourselves credit for. I believe YOU are stronger, more purposeful, smarter, more strategic, more influential, more necessary and far more loved than you can ever imagine.
Yes, I am stunningly optimistic, much more so today on the last day of 2023, than I was on the first day. The knowledge we possess is powerful – far more powerful than the pretenses we fight against.
Regardless of how we exit this year, excited or slightly nervous, we must admit it can be challenging to retain a joyful ‘best life’ while everything around us seems created to deliver ultimate chaos and madness.
However, if we accept that a loving God is the source of the purest truth, we can create something stronger within ourselves just by making a choice. Do that, choose that, follow that and we will have accomplished a great deal.
Regardless of what tomorrow brings, we always have choices. A new year’s perspective:
I have long felt that life is like a series of links in a chain. You might be driving down the road and you hear a song on the radio, or see a picture, and you feel a memory….
Something triggers within you that reminds of a different time and place than where you are right now.
You reflect.
The memories you consider remind you of a totally different time in your life.
Perhaps you lived in a different place. Perhaps you were surrounded by different people. Perhaps a different job or completely different friends. You recognize those memories were constructed like frozen moments in time. They became individual links in the chain in your life.
We never actually realize, in the immediate moment, when one link closes and another link begins. But when we look back, we can clearly see distinct points where things changed, the link closed, and a new link began.
You see, the links are only visible in reflection.
As we reflect, we find parts of the chain in our life where each link closes and connects with the other. A beginning, and an end. At the point where the links are joined, we carry parts of the previous link forward to the next.
For many people those connections are bonded by family, or very strong lifelong relationships. Connections which continue beyond our geographic moments, jobs or temporary acquaintances.
But for everyone, the primary bonding agent brought forward from one link to the next is us, our center, our values and core principles. Our beliefs.
The strength of the steel which comprises the links of our life is forged in the fire of adversity, weakness, challenge, pain, loss, and painful growth. The steel is then cooled with the tears of triumph, hurdles overcome and resolve.
The forging makes the steel stronger and able to withstand the pressures that accompany the additional length. Slowly the chain becomes wiser as it lengthens. Able to reach further, form more significant benefits and become more useful.
Hope replaces fear. Love replaces loneliness. Success replaces adversity. These are successful links began and finished while contributing to the whole.
At times we may manipulate the links with avoidance. We hide from -or choose to avoid- an issue in our effort to begin a new link before the old one was naturally, and spiritually, prepared to be closed.
Eventually, as life continues and the chain lengthens, the weak link can fracture, and we are forced to revisit/repair what we originally chose to avoid.
You see, in life we cannot control the universal laws that guide us. So, if we manipulate circumstances to avoid confronting our own weakness, we cannot fully strengthen our life of links. Eventually, the weakness of our past will impact our future.
So, what principles do we carry from link to link? What core values and beliefs stay with us throughout the journey of our lives? The answers to these questions are what makes us human spiritual beings.
We possess free will able to make choices about what we do, and how we define our individual humanity; but can we then define ’right’ and ‘wrong’ according to our individual principles? Or are there principles that exceed our influence and definition?
Are there natural laws of right and wrong, good and bad, that cannot be subjected to the determination of man?
These are the bigger questions, perhaps the more important questions; and yet, perhaps the ones we reflect upon the least.
Consider the example of the ‘Law of the Farm’ vs. the ‘Law of the School’. Natural principles vs. those made by man.
A student can skip class, take few notes, pay only half attention, then stay up all night cramming for a test and manage a decent grade. It depends on the student’s goal: grades or learning.
The student can choose to manipulate the education, by avoiding the learning and capturing the grade. This is possible in the ‘Law of the School’.
However, a farmer cannot take short cuts. A farmer cannot avoid tending to the soil, preparing the seed, fertilizing and nurturing the crop, and still gain the benefit of an abundant harvest.
The farmer must necessarily do all of the appropriate work in order to benefit from it. Such is the ‘Law of the Farm’, the natural law.
When one considers the weakness remaining within a poorly constructed and manipulated link, perhaps established by selfish choices and driven by avoidance and fear, one can be faithfully assured those who have dealt dishonestly with us will have to visit the issues of their association again.
Conversely, no amount of manipulation or avoidance on our own behalf is going to improve the frailty of any link without first resolving the lack of character which created the weakness.
So, we have choices in our lives. Decisions we each make regarding how we interact and participate in the lives and links of others, as well as how we choose to construct the links that comprise our own lives.
Do we base our sense of purpose around natural principles? Principles based on natural laws of right and wrong, good and bad, truth and lies. Do we forge strong links by following our heart, our values?
If we can interact with others absent of a prideful self-driven agenda, or manipulative intent, we can then apply such principles and strength to our endeavors.
If we protect the integrity of the soil upon which we build the foundation of our lives, we can live without regret.
If we fertilize and cherish our crop, and the crop of our neighbor, with honesty and sincere appreciation for the souls we meet along our chosen path, we will live a life of abundance.
If we tend carefully to the consideration of everyone, yet holding true to our values and principles, we can strengthen ourselves amid the face of adversity and disenchantment.
If we do not hide from, nor ignore our individual and collective faults, we can build the chain of our life with strength, humility, and purpose.
I wish for each of you a long chain of bold, strong, beautiful links, polished with the reflective brilliance of Love, and the very happiest of blessings for a brand-New Year.
Abiding love to all.
Steadfast,
~ Sundance
…Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
God bless you Sundance. Wishing you only the best in the new year.
Thanks Sundance. Happy New Year 2024
Happy New Year, Sundance! Thank you for all you do! I pray for your safety. God will get us through this evil time and our country will be under him.
Sundance,
You are both inspired and inspiring.
God bless you!
Happy New Year!
The CTH is mt first website that I read everyday. Sincere thanks to Sundance and his staff for such great insight into so many important stories. Wishing and praying for a great year for America in 2024.
HAPPY NEW YEAR SUNDANCE AND ALL TREEPERS. GO BLESS
God bless you, Sundance!
Happy New Year to the entire Treehouse! I agree with Sundance that small interactions with others build our lives. The most important is our free will to live our best lives. Thank you all.
Happy New Year to all. As long as we stay together we will be strong.
He said Melania’s mother is in the hospital.
I believe her mother is ill and in the hospital and Melania is there with her.
Yes, she is very ill apparently. It’s also why she wasn’t in the Xmas family photo last week.
🙏
Lifting up Melania’s mother…in prayer!
If there’s anybody in Times Square NY, please take care.
MASSIVE Pro-Hamas Protesters March Towards Times Square to Ruin New Years for Millions of Fellow Americans | The Gateway Pundit | by Jim Hoft
Is there a limit this season, and where do you get your tags?
Thank you Sundance! I had been reading your articles and the comments for several years but I first started commenting on this site only a few months after my husband’s sudden passing. The truth and non pretending is so refreshing, but the spiritual guidance from you, Stillwater, and other commenters is what has truly helped me through the past 7 months. I have been preparing for the worst but hoping for the best because of you all.
Happy New Year! May God continue to bless President Trump and those that support him. And May God continue to change hearts and minds throughout the world to the truth that is is Jesus Christ.
I’m so sorry for your loss
God Bless you, and him
Your loss but our gain as you have become a prolific and solid commenter.
Its going to be an interesting year, and as we go with God, we should not fear earthly threats.
Wishing all a Happy New Year!
Steadfast, thank you, Sundance.
“And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:
‘Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown’.
And he replied:
‘Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way’.”
– Minnie Louise Haskins
Outstanding.
Believers are called to walk (live) by faith and not by sight! I greatly fear that most Christians are too busy walking by sight to practice this. We read a truth in God’s word and say, “That can’t be true in MY life. Look at my past.” When we do this, we’re saying to God, “You’re a liar. Your word isn’t true, and I can’t trust You.”
Of course, God has a way of FORCING His children to walk by faith. It may be that we have to hit rock bottom before we do, but the “rock” at the bottom is none other than “the ROCK,” Jesus Christ, and He is faithful and true!
Prayers for God to guide and bless you! Even as you guide, and bless us. And for protection for us all. For deepened faith, trust and obedience in our relationship with the Lord. We thank God for you and for all of our MAGA leaders, and especially for President Trump. May God bless and keep and inspire him as well and protect and secure him and his family.
Happy New Year, Sundance. And thank you for all the work you do providing THE primo site for conservative analysis and information, the one to read first.
2024 is going to be a GREAT year! And as Yogi Berra said: “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” [wink]
Trump 2024
Happy New Year, Sundance, and to all here!
Happy new year to this band of the best misfits.
God bless you Sundance, Adrems, Menagerie & all Treepers . A very happy and healthy 2024 for all.
Love, blessings and a very Happy New Year to you as well….. 🥂 🍾
Happy New Year to Sundance and all his crew and all his readers and commenters. May 2024 bring the Illumination of Conscience and the Miracle to change our lives and bring us closer to Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Two roads diverged…
Grateful for place where others on this “less traveled road” collect.
I just gave every well wisher a thumbs up.
God bless the Treehouse and all the Treepers..
Happy New Year Treepers!
God bless, and a happy new year to Sundance and all of you.
Happy New Year SD, Puddy, Menagerie, Stella and to all Treepers near and far ❤️
May the New Year bring you much love and joy Patriot! 🍾🍸
Beautiful imagery and prose. Praying 2024 is a series of steps in the right direction for you and yours, our country and our world.
Happy New Year! BTW why does everyone love “Imagine” so much? I always have to mute it while I wait for the ball drop.
Can’t stand that song. Imagine there’s no heaven–no thanks.
I used to love the Beatles but it hit me with “imagine’ John Lenin was the original leftist who gave so much energy the the enemies we fight today…
I feel the same way Itravisjr…..always thought it was rather insipid.
Imagine there’s no heaven… After the ball dropped CNN first showed two guys kissing. TV coverage is total debauchery. Sorry CNN, heaven is real, and so is hell-change imagine to pretending- it would be accurate.
ABC showed the two guys too. They just don’t get it.
I always regard that song as the idiots who imagine “no heaven, no hell below us, above us only sky” as the people who think that this existence in these flesh bodies are all that there is in this universe. They think that gives them the right to become the leaders, thinkers, and authoritarians on how things will be done here on earth. They disregard God’s rules and natural laws and turn themselves into little gods to rule over us.
In essence they are trying to create what only God can create. But what Lennon is dreaming about for his God-less society is exactly what God will provide for those of us who survive judgment. The rest go into the Lake of Fire.
That song has a great melody, but the lyrics are just awful – a bunch of liberal “unicorns” and “pixie dust” words.
God Bless You, Sundance. A Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year wishes to you and yours. Thank you for another year of your wise and valued thoughts.
It would be a sorry world without coming here and being with all the Treepers. Good wishes to all!!
God rest ye merry gentlemen (and fair ladies), Let nothing you dismay.
Happy New Year to all the Treehouse, and our fearless leader.
The circle will be unbroken.
A Blessed New Year to Treeper Friends and Allies!
Our Lord does not make mistakes and His Ways and His Timing are Perfect.
You, His beloved son or daughter, are created… and set above all other creations… in His Image. He determined when He knit you together in your mother’s womb… that He and the world needed a you in a time such as this. Trust His Purpose and trust that He Will Equip you as these times come to pass.
Do not be afraid, for fear is the sin of faithlessness.
Do not give the devil a foothold to steal your joy and time. Cast out the voices that feed your insecurity and speak The Lord’s Promises back to God in prayer and thanksgiving. Hold onto them as reminders of God’s Perfect and Abiding Love for us all.
Speak of God’s mighty works, wonders, and miracles to others… often. For in them, we find our hope. We can find His wonders in the smallest and grandest of scenes, so start looking and keep it up! Speak life!
We are bearing witness to one of the most amazing times in our world’s history and it is up to us to be the salt and light to all we can influence through the Holy Spirit. We are only in charge of planting the seeds, the springing forth of the yield belongs exclusively to God.
So cast all cares on Him and choose joy. Love wildly and laugh hard.
Happy 2024!
Thank you, Sundance and team, for all you do to educate and uplift.
Thank you Sundance for everything that you do for our Republic.
God Bless YOU, your loved ones and those who work alongside you daily and persevere for all Treepers.
Happy 2024!
MIGHTY MAGA!
NO GUTS, NO GLORY. 270+ 🙂
Scott Adam’s, a pretty sharp cookie, says:
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2023/12/31/scott-adams-2024-will-be-surprising-on-the-upside/
Happy new year, everyone. And thank you so much, Sundance and crew.
Thank you Sundance for building a refuge as we can gather and stop pretending, and seek a better path for our Country ourselves, and our neighbors.
God Bless all May we endeavor to Make America Great again with God’s help.
Happy New Year and independence 2024 America.
Happy New Year Sundance, team & all others on here. Ur correct that we will create our 2024 along side our creator. Thanks to this site & what is & has/been available to us, we are/will build on the rock not sand.
Blessings, Bonnie Soteropolis. 🙂
G’day from Australia! Happy New Year 2024 to everyone at the Treehouse. Thank you Sundance for the hard work and detail you go to, to educate us on what is going on. My biggest hope for this year is that the TRUTH wins the war over the LIES. And, that then becomes our responsibility on hearing one of those wretched lies that we throw back the empirical truth of the matter. Some people would be brainwashed and on hearing the TRUTH for the first time might accept it. If everyone like us, did their bit and not politely fold, it could become substantial.
Happy New Year to each and every Treeper, and especially for Sundance and the Wolverines
Beautiful. My eyes were watering. Happy New Years everyone.
Happy New Year, Sundance and fellow Treepers!! May the Lord bless us all!🙏😇❤️
Thanks Sundance and fellow Treepers for being a link in my life chain.
Thank you Sundance for your relentless work to keep us so well informed with no pretending this is one big beautiful tree you planted and growing fast these days blessings for you and yours and treepers everywhere
R.D.
It won’t be the best of a Year 2024 but it will end in the best way: Donald J. Trump is reelected as President.
Between now and then, fortitude to all, spread small words to wake people up, and God Bless Sundamce and his helpers, and everybody here.
HAPPY 2024 TO ALL.
Jeepers Creepers!
God bless 💕🎈
and
Happy New Year 🥳🎉
to
Sundance and all Treepers!
Let’s roar in 2024🦁👑
It lifts my heart to read that you feel optimistic at the end of this dreadful year, it is almost contagious due to your great track record and my respect for your opinions.
Alas, I am just not able to muster up much optimism over the state of what used to be our Constitutional Republic.
My New Year’s resolution however has literally been to look harder for what is going right. Even I have to acknowledge there have been a few wins lately.
Thank you for the last decade’s worth of REAL news, analysis, prayer, community, worship, patriotic love, and an environment in which to share. HAPPY NEW YEAR fellow Treepers!
May God be with us all through 2024.
Happy New Year, Sundance…what great words to begin it!
God Bless
Indeed!
In my life I am not sure I ever took the more traveled road,..and as for “thinking outside the bix” my responce has always been “Box? WHAT box?”
I too am strangely or not optimistic for the future.
I think a bunch of chickens are going to come home to roost, and Abes theorum about fooling people is going to be affirmed as true.
Happy New year to all, and to all a good nite.
2023 wasn’t the best year of my life, that would be 2022 (despite and partly because of the loss of one of my closest friends, my grandfather, I experienced personal growth like never before), but 2023 really ended on a high note. I’m not someone who is really depressed, but for the first time in I don’t know how long, I spent the entire day just being happy. Serving at my church has finally struck a cord like never before (my salvation has never been in question, but my role in God’s Kingdom has). Serving on the last day of the year, and ringing in the New Year with some family has resulted in all signs pointing up and unbridled optimism for 2024 to be the best year of my life. Thank you for the light and optimism you bring every day, Sundance.
That was beautiful. God Bless you SD. Happy New Year.
Not to disagree with the master, I see it as a tree. It grows, limbs fall and wither, while others grow strong, always from the root. The belief. As He professed. I am the lowest of they but I love non-the less.
While I understand the nervousness (i THINK EXCITEMENT-i am a believer) I am completely resolute. I will go out standing with my enemies at my feet. My last words are I Love you Lord. Please accept me for who I am. Oh, I believe.