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A Year on Fire

Writer: Penny Muller
Penny Muller
4 days ago
5 min read

2026 has been quite a year!


As no doubt you have experienced, the fire horse has burned its way through 2026, leaving us wide-eyed and wondering how we could possibly be already peeking through the fluttering curtains of November. My blogs have been few and far between this year, as a result of its velocity, and due to my latest foray back into the world of solo renting and almost fulltime work. My work life has exploded this trimester - a beautiful example of the way we are held and supported by the Universe at every step and turn of the road. I am deep into early childhood pedagogy at the moment, and happy to be so. There are few things that I consider to be more important than the education, care and protection of children - and my role to impart this 'professional love' to my students is something I view as an honour.


It's almost impossible for me to believe that I began this year softly singing to the ancient leylines of Mont-Saint-Michel, and gazing on the tranquil beauty of sea and sky as the new year dawned. And, that I spent seven weeks journeying unaccompanied through France, Italy and Belgium, finding past life connections and solidifying future life dreams and priorities. It feels dreamlike that I spent five weeks in Melbourne, following the subtle call of my 30-year-old self - holding her and healing her so I could be ready to move forward and away from her old pain and self-defeating patterns. In no way do I take these privileges lightly; I am most grateful, and the opportunities for learning and expansion that they afforded are held dear to my heart.


As you know, although I endeavour to have a positive view of life, I am acutely aware of the suffering and unrest in the wider world - I sat in tears watching my beloved Paris in uproar and burning. At the same time, I am moved to overcome by the loveliness of the world around me - at three pelicans sitting in a row, at the curves of ominous clouds, and the delicacy of much-needed rain falling on the ferry windows. I will never lose my faith that the turmoil of the world is the ushering in of a more beautiful one - that the darkness is not greater than before but that it is being brought into the light - by the increasing light that is flooding the earth. The fire horse is burning what needs to be transmuted - majestically - awe-inspiringly - and with speed.


I'm happy with my year - with the big and the little things that it has brought. I gave an intimate home recital for a small group of people on ANZAC Day, and I sang Moon River with the island concert band for the cultural festival and for Seniors Month. I went to Caloundra to visit friends, and I attended the wedding of one of my oldest friends, in Wooloongabba. I saw some incredible live performances - concerts, musicals and operas - even sitting next to the leading lady of La Traviata in Brunetti, in Melbourne. I also had the delight of unexpectedly connecting with my former singing teacher at a concert while I was there. Recently, I have been giving singing lessons again, and I also gave a workshop for members of the island's writers' group, demonstrating the use of the voice and its connection to the body to assist them with projecting and expressing their voices for singing and speaking - when reading from their books or reciting their poetry. A novel experience, a few weeks ago, was attending the Storytellers Festival at Lamb Island and writing and staging an 'opera in an afternoon' with the dean of the Sydney Conservatorium. I played a siren with undulating arm movements, luring Macleay Island pirates to a watery grave, singing ''come follow me, come follow me, come follow me''.


In addition, I discovered new songs such as Arthur Sullivan's 'The Lost Chord', which gives me goosebumps every time I hear it and sing it. I heard an American soprano's Australian debut of an African-American spiritual by Rosephanye Powell called 'Dying', that held me captivated and inspired me to find it and learn it. Also, a stunning piece by Kurt Weill called 'Youkali', performed by a young soprano who visited the island - which I now regularly sing in French to my loyal keyboard -with sultry passion. The pièce de résistance has been a very challenging 13-page Schubert lied, 'Shepherd on the Rock, which I rehearsed with my new musician friends - a pianist and a clarinetist, with the windows and door open - to the pronounced delight of my new neighbour, who ran out of her house and across the road to exclaim, ''Penny's singing, come and listen!'' When the third section, the quick and happy section of the piece came together - the first time we played it - we were giddy with excitement. It almost felt like flying - it was exhilarating.


I spent many hours with friends and family, as always - at our favourite island gelati shop, and sitting around the fire, and in circle - witnessing each other; writing out our desires and challenges and flinging them to the flames; and singing light language while they held space during our meditations for individual and planetary healing. With a friend, I attended a 'family constellations' workshop, clutching my solar plexis and crying my heart out like I never thought I could in front of others, as I did some much-needed inner healing work in sacred company with a group of women I had never met. And, with some ladies from the island, new acquaintances, I sang on the beach as the sun rose over Minjerribah, and lay in the water with them, in the shadow of the fishing boats and the serene stillness of the exquisite awakening morning.


This week, I found myself at the ballet barre for the first time in seven years - a place that immediately feels like home. My body always remembers what to do - one of my greatest loves. And, most of all, knowing that I belong there, as I am, as does anyone who wants to be - acknowledging and celebrating how far I've come to believe that I belong in any room that I wish to enter, as I am right now, is very gratifying. Thinking about this joy, this appreciation, thinking about my dreams and wishes for the coming year, I know there will be many moments like this - many surprises and unexpected gifts. No doubt there will be challenging moments too - there always are - but to me, at this time, they will be equally cherished as keys to the growth and healing that will bring me closer to the 'me' I want to become. So, welcome 2027, when you come - and please whisper to us your secrets and hold us in your arms as you quietly enter our world and begin to establish what is to come. I am ready!






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See also:



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