As the end of 2008 nears and 2009 faces us, I have been pondering life’s changes, both self-imposed and those thrust upon us. And quite honestly, if I added “make some new year’s resolutions” to the mix, it just won’t get done!
Oh yes, I have succumbed in years’ past: Lose weight. Exercise more. Read more “good literature.” Be more patient (no comments, please, from Jim, Jonathan or Ryan).
What a way to start a new year, doomed to fail at something by February. Then beating myself up from March to May, at which point I totally give up and forget about it until the next December.
With all the challenges this last year – losing a job, (trying to) sell a house, packing and moving cross country, and starting a business — one would think that I get an exemption from making changes, yet this is the year they’ve actually been the easiest, because they have come from the heart.
- Getting more exercise – it’s not because of the bathroom scale, it’s because walking every morning gives me a chance to get to know a dear new neighbor better.
- Not letting work consume me – well, the loss of a job helped with this one! But it allowed me to explore what would really make me happy to get up every morning and then suddenly, it was happening.
- Supporting a good cause – adopting two cats this summer not only brought great joy to me, I knew that my actions literally saved their lives and that was so much more rewarding than writing a check.
- Appreciating my husband – launching a new business together has caused me to understand that his “nerdiness” is an incredible advantage and balances our skill set and this has made me appreciate him in ways I haven’t before.
So this December, you won’t find me coming up with any 2009 resolutions. You will find me, however, frequently reading a copy of “For This I Am Grateful”, a great little book with short quotes and essays about life’s priorities. And savoring what I have, versus wishing for something that I don’t, is the fastest way to stress relief that I can think of!
And what are you most grateful for?
