It's That Time of Year...Again

For those of us who believe in making New Year's resolutions, the time is now. And for all of you "nonbelievers," consider the value of reviewing, reflecting and possibly even beginning the tradition by establishing goals for 2014. It's never too late to begin!

Last year, one of my most important goals was to publish my novel, Bellehaven. And as many of you know, that happened. What I didn't completely realize was that marketing should have also been one of my goals for last year. So, one of my major initiatives this year is to market my book.

I have a great desire to see it read and so, the marketing takes on a whole different perspective for me. I find it's less about recouping my publishing costs and more about knowing it's been read by as many people as I can reach.

Earlier today, my oldest daughter, Ginger, called to wish us a Happy New Year. She told me about a challenge she'd heard about where rather than making a list of resolutions, we should find the one word that reflects what we hope to accomplish or change in 2014. "Take some time," she advised me, "And the word will come to you. Then post that word everywhere---on your mirror, over your computer, maybe even on your car visor."

Instantly, as she was telling me, "my" word came, as some things come to me. My word is "productive." My goal is to write bigger, more authentically than in the past. And to do so, I know I must write every day. Consider doing this exercise. Whether your goal is a writing one or simply one thing you'd like to do differently this year, I challenge you to find your word. Once you have, try to live it.


Happy New Year, everyone!

And So Today, My Potato Smiles

Every January, I take time to reflect on the past year and think of what I want to do differently in the New Year. While my resolutions always list many of the same goals—eat healthier, exercise more, and weigh less, I also like to add new pledges, too. Last year, I chose intentional kindness. Choosing a similar goal for 2013 was especially hard since the year began with the fiscal cliff, the rising debt ceiling, the aftermath of the tragic school shooting, and the memory of Hurricane Sandy’s devastation. I felt weighed down and arid.

I'm lagging behind and barely making my intentions by the end of January, but I tell myself it's never too late to choose a mode of self improvement or look for  a way to better the world. First, I realized I needed to get out of my funk.

I didn't have to go to Google to search. The answer was right in my kitchen. While foraging in the fridge for salad makings, I realized I wasn’t alone. There, on the middle shelf sat my potato bowl and in it, yes, my potato was smiling. I smiled back and ran to get my camera. That friendly potato lifted my spirits and set my mind farther along on my quest. But I wasn't where I needed to be yet.


The next morning I pulled out my plastic container of Florida strawberries. Plump and delicious, their fragrance beckoned. Lo and behold, inside nestled a strawberry heart. And just like the refrigerator light went on, I knew what course I should take. It was as evident as the smile on my potato's face and the curve of my fruited heart.

This year, I will look for the extraordinary in the ordinary, search for the beauty and uniqueness that a busy life often hides. I will try to view my world through a childlike lens.

That, I realized, was exactly what this year's special resolution should be. I needed to see the wonder of the ordinary. So, my goal this year is to see the world in new and different ways, to seek all its beauty and not permit the state of the world to make me lose an appreciation of what is before me. And so, that is where I am now. I’m pledging to become more childlike.

Rachel Carson said it so well: “A child’s world is fresh and new and beautiful, full of wonder and excitement. It is our misfortune that for most of us that clear-eyed vision, that true instinct for what is beautiful and awe-inspiring, is dimmed and even lost before we reach adulthood.” With a conscious effort, I believe that doesn’t have to be so. And so, I am going to set out to view what was before me in a new and different perspective.

So, I invite you to consider joining me in purposely choosing to see the world through a child’s eyes. Searching for and treasuring the wonders that exist in our every day life won’t solve our country’s larger issues, but it will surely enhance our day to day experiences.

Here are a few more words on the value of nurturing your inner child:

“If you want to be creative, stay in part a child, with the creativity and invention that characterizes children…” Jean Piaget, Swiss developmental psychologist and philosopher

“The end of childhood is when things cease to astonish us. When the world seems familiar, when one has got used to existence, one has become an adult.” Eugene Ionesco, French playwright

"We must remain close to the flowers, the grass, and the butterflies as the child is who is not yet much taller than they are..." Friedrich Nietszche

                                                                                       
For more hints on successful goal setting, check out my blog, "How to make (and keep) Resolutions

 

How to Make (and Keep) New Year's Resolutions

People usually fall into several categories - those who always make resolutions, those who don't and never will, and those who have tried and failed and thus have stopped even trying. Being an inveterate resolution maker, I believe resolutions are a worthwhile and valuable way to better our lives. So for those who may want to try again or try for the first time, I'd like to share my thoughts on how to make and keep your resolutions. First, it's important to understand some of the beliefs that can get in the way and sabotage your efforts.

1. The belief that making resolutions must be done by New Year's Day

• The week from Christmas to New Year's is fraught with social activities, too much wine and food, and too many distractions. Allow yourself to reflect on the past year first.


• Consider what you would like to change in the coming year, but don't make any promises to yourself - yet.


• After the tree has been put on the curb (or planted) and the decorations are packed away, begin to make your list. The first item: Complete list of goals for 2010 by the end of January.

2. The belief that keeping resolutions must start immediately on the 1st of the year

• Since your list won't be complete, you can pitch hint #2 into the wastebasket.


• Look at your list of goals and decide which ones are most important and which ones you can work on later. Trying to change your behaviors or habits all at once is too overwhelming. Instead, establish a time frame for each. Maybe start working on one in February, add one in March, and so on.


• Try to pick one from each category. For example, one health/exercise goal, if that's on your list, one civic if you have things you want to take up for your community and/or church, and perhaps, one for self improvement - like the novel/poem/painting you've really want to start.

3. The belief that establishing goals is simply a matter of knowing what you want to accomplish

• Knowing what you want to accomplish is only the first step. Losing weight, for instance, sounds simple, but it's only the first direction in the mapquest of being successful. Break that goal into bitesize pieces. Establish the directions. Perhaps, "I'll begin by measuring my portions, write down everything that passes my lips, do a calorie count."


• Start gradually. If you've been eating and loving chocolate, don't forego, vow to begin by eating half as much of it as you do now.


• Establish the steps that will come next once you're successful and satisfied with your beginning.

4. The belief that if you've failed to keep your resolutions at the beginning, you should give up

• Set a time frame for yourself to review the goals you've set and decide what you can add or or change to be successful.


• Don't be afraid to amend, change, or redirect your goals.


• Congratulate yourself on small steps forward and don't get discouraged if you slip up. Psychologists suggest it takes three months to change a habit, so stay with it!

I hope you find this helpful. Now I must sign off as I am getting ready to start my list of 2010 resolutions. Oh, one last thought, it's also OK to make the same resolutions year after year, even if you don't succeed every year or for the entire year. Consider the example I used of losing weight. If you manage to maintain that goal in even in small steps for three to six months, you've probably avoided some weight gain!

The Interlude between Christmas and New Year's

I always find this a time for reflection and kind of cleaning up loose ends before the New Year begins. It's a pause. There's nowhere I have to be - no meetings, no commitments. This brief interlude affords me time to squirrel in and do whatever I've been avoiding or not had time to do.

So, today, I decided to edit my Picasa file. For some reason, I've copied pictures in several different files, so I have duplicates and photos in all the wrong places - twice. Does anyone out there have a neat way to file all these images? If you do, shout it out.

Of course, looking at all these photos soon turned into its own occupation: reminiscing about all the good times and the moments when I may have lost my cool on one of those trips. I'll have to add "patience" to my New Year's Resolutions this year. After several hours, I was pleased to note I only had two more files to go. I'll do them later. I'll have to add "eliminate procrastination" to that New Year's list.

Needing a break from all this, I opted for a snack of Brie, crackers, apples, wine, and a dish of cashews, just a small dish. I'll have to add "lost five pounds" to that, you guessed it, my New Year's Resolutions.

Now, I'm back to my computer determined to write another post. This whole blogging thing is new to me. How do you find topics for yours? If you have any thoughts, let me know. And again, I better add "commit to a blog a day or at least three a week so I can get the hang of this" to that lengthening list of goals.

Part of my problem is I'm not sure of what theme my blog should have. I see other blogs. I view them all with admiration. There's blogs on the '50's - I use them to do a reminiscing program for seniors. There's cooking and baking blogs - I go there for recipes whenever I want to try something new, which is often. And of course, there's political blogs - I go there when I'm bored or want to learn more about what other people think. Sewing blogs, too, where I can check out quilt design, colors, and other things. I definitely must add "decide what you want to be, at least on your blog" to that Resolution list.

All of this brings me to a question: How many of you are Resolution junkies like me? Stay tuned for my next blog. It definitely will include some pointers on how to make New Year's Resolutions. Every journey (change) begins with the first step.