I practice recommitment on a monthly, weekly, daily—even moment-to-moment—basis. I also practice forgiveness. I forgive myself for not following through on previous commitments, goals, and self-promises. I let go of recriminations, self-flagellations, self-denigrations and I move on. Every morning I wake up and reassess my goals, because each new day, each new moment, is an opportunity for creation. Creation out of blank-slate nothingness.

For years I have envisioned myself drinking wheatgrass every day, juicing veggies and sprouts every day, practicing yoga and meditating every day. My reality looks a little different. Most days I am at the computer, letting my pc addiction control me and trying to soak up as much person-to-person energy as one can squeeze through the airways since I have a chronic illness that severely isolates me. Every night I imagine I will practice yoga the next morning. I will put some distance between me and the pc. I will create a life that fills me.

As many of you probably know firsthand, it’s just not that simple. But I don’t give up. Ever. I keep re-imagining this life, keep recommitting to my vision. I take baby steps. I drink wheatgrass 4 days a week. I juice a few days. I stretch my body daily. And I never give up my dream. I keep striving toward the light. Because that is all I have to hold onto.

Julie Genser is the creator of PlanetThrive.com and MCSsafehomes.com. She lives in the high desert of northeastern Arizona where she savors the full moons and the howling of the coyotes. She struggles daily to manage a life of isolation due to severe chemical and electrical sensitivities.