I completely embrace and live by the concept of the song below: that we have the power to reinvent ourselves and start all over again anytime we decide to…truly unencumbered by the mistakes and circumstances of our past.

I consider it one of the most important lessons that I have infused into the hearts and minds of my children. It is my mantra…and is now part of theirs. We can be born again anytime we want to and in any manner in which we choose — and we don’t even need an angry god or a pointless crucifixion or even a shocking submersion into a vat of chlorinated holy water to do it. We just need the desire, and the vision, and the hope.

We also need to learn to forgive ourselves for the inevitable missteps and transgressions that come along with being human. It is our very imperfections that make us so goddamned…perfect. Sorta like the mole on Cindy Crawford’s face.

So, every January 1st, I consciously remind myself that every new day — not just New Year’s Day — is another opportunity for me to make my life extraordinary…and then I set about doing it. Some days I succeed wildly…and some days I don’t wash my muff or brush my teeth and just lay around in my pajamas drinking coffee, wolfing Taco Bell, sniffing the sweet skulls of my babies, and reading the poetry of Ted Hughes.

I’ll let you guess which days I consider extraordinary.

My wish for all those whom I love…is that they find and celebrate the mole on the face of their own extraordinary lives.

Happy New Year.

Better Days

And you ask me what I want this year
And I try to make this kind and clear
Just a chance that maybe we’ll find better days
Cuz I don’t need boxes wrapped in strings
And desire and love and empty things
Just a chance that maybe we’ll find better days

So take these words
And sing out loud
Cuz everyone is forgiven now
Cuz tonight’s the night the world begins again

And it’s someplace simple where we could live
And something only you can give
And thats faith and trust and peace while we’re alive
And the one poor child that saved this world
And there’s 10 million more who probably could
If we all just stopped and said a prayer for them

So take these words
And sing out loud
Cuz everyone is forgiven now
Cuz tonight’s the night the world begins again

I wish everyone was loved tonight
And somehow stop this endless fight
Just a chance that maybe we’ll find better days

So take these words
And sing out loud
Cuz everyone is forgiven now
Cuz tonight’s the night the world begins again
Cuz tonight’s the night the world begins again