Strength and Joy
2009. It is a new year, and at the beginning, we should all make wild wishes about what we hope to do in the next one. When writing my 2008 holiday letter, I was a little hard pressed to conjure more than a sentence about what I had pulled off in 2008, which really got me thinking about 2009.
The thing is, I have made a career out of making excuses for not doing things these last years, between my demanding day job, and ongoing grief recovery (which I KNOW is getting boring, it is starting to bore even ME) and trying to keep the floor picked up so no one gets hurt around here.
My sister Julie makes new years resolutions that are attainable, and simple like the one she carried over from 2008 into 2009 again - To Do More Laundry. HIgh likelihood of success, right?
I should make resolutions like "Exercise. Ever." or "Commit to being even more tired by scheduling excessive activities for my children". But since those are really givens, I decided that really, I am just going for concepts as resolutions.
This way, I can use the resolutions as back up mantras, should I tire of "Stop Freaking Out" and "Everything is going to be OK".
This way, it is a little more subjective, and I am more likely to end the year feeling I attained my lofty goals.
So while 2006 was really my year of Patience, and 2007 was my year of Surviving Sadness and 2008 was my year of Perseverance at Work, here is what I have on tap for 2009:
STRENGTH AND JOY
Physical and mental strength. All around life-living joy. A mantra, a resolution and what I will start and end each day with.
I am just about done asking for comments, since I am either talking to myself or you are all just REAL shy, but let me know if you have any other great resolutions I should plan on backing you up on.
The thing is, I have made a career out of making excuses for not doing things these last years, between my demanding day job, and ongoing grief recovery (which I KNOW is getting boring, it is starting to bore even ME) and trying to keep the floor picked up so no one gets hurt around here.
My sister Julie makes new years resolutions that are attainable, and simple like the one she carried over from 2008 into 2009 again - To Do More Laundry. HIgh likelihood of success, right?
I should make resolutions like "Exercise. Ever." or "Commit to being even more tired by scheduling excessive activities for my children". But since those are really givens, I decided that really, I am just going for concepts as resolutions.
This way, I can use the resolutions as back up mantras, should I tire of "Stop Freaking Out" and "Everything is going to be OK".
This way, it is a little more subjective, and I am more likely to end the year feeling I attained my lofty goals.
So while 2006 was really my year of Patience, and 2007 was my year of Surviving Sadness and 2008 was my year of Perseverance at Work, here is what I have on tap for 2009:
STRENGTH AND JOY
Physical and mental strength. All around life-living joy. A mantra, a resolution and what I will start and end each day with.
I am just about done asking for comments, since I am either talking to myself or you are all just REAL shy, but let me know if you have any other great resolutions I should plan on backing you up on.
I made a resolution years ago and was so successful at keeping it, that I renew it every year - match up socks before putting them in the drawer. It's one I can keep AND makes life easier. Okay so it's only easier for about 10 seconds every day, but still, easier.
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I will check in with you regularly, this is a resolution I can gladly support you on.
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I made a resolution to read your blog more often, for it brings me so much joy, YES, JOY. As for my year (which I hope you don't mind I started borrowing from you?!) 2008 was supposed to be the year of Michele, BUT.. that did not work out so well. So this year, it is simply, the year of being Whole.
Love you Sis and miss you a ton! Looking forward to May as I know it will bring a lot of STRENGTH and JOY!
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I'm due with my first child (a boy) on February 8th. I already have a husband and 2 big dogs (who frequently test my resolve to live by the 10 commandments...most notably...thou shalt not kill...). I resolve to focus on presence and patience in 2009. It will be a year of firsts that I don't want to forget (presence) and a year of firsts that will challenge me immensely (patience). Here's to the excitement of it all!!!
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Shelee - you are grossly underestimating that JOY part - trust me, you will be present and your patience will surprise you. Just because you lose patience with not so bright co-workers, don't think for a second you won't have Buckets (with a capital
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