Girl’s Life

I’m sure by now, if you are a New Year’s Resolutions kind of person, you have made them. I know for me, I always have great intentions this time of year. Everything just sparkles with so much possibility. And yes, I have to admit, I sometimes get that “change is needed” bug and make a resolution or two, but inevitably when I do, I either don’t follow through or end up forgetting them by the end of January.

But this year feels different to me. Not in a way that makes me want to shout my life goals from the highest mountain. But in a way that makes me more contemplative about 2006 and more realistic about 2007.

2006 was a hard year. Don’t get me wrong, it was a great year, too. It was a fun year of learning the ins and outs of parenting with the husband — learning how to trick a toddler into eating “just one more bite,” learning how to breathe through my mouth while changing those really bad diapers, learning how to function on no sleep, learning how to find humor in a tantrum instead of getting annoyed (Seriously, my daughter yells “NINE, NINE, NINE!” over and over when she gets mad, and sometimes the only thing we can do is laugh a little. Ruthless parents we are, no?)

But it was also a hard year for me with the whole figuring out how to juggle my family and my job while supporting my husband’s new business ventures. It was a year of learning important lessons, for sure. (How much patience does one person really need?! Although, come to think of it, I’m definitely still learning this one daily [mostly as I sit in traffic or pick up yet another thrown sippy cup]. Not sure if I’ll ever nail it completely down.) Learning patience was key. As was learning how to let go of guilt (You’re handed a big pile of it when you have a kid, by the way.) Many times last year, I found myself being really hard on myself and not setting reasonable and realistic expectations.

This brings me to my whole idea of liking the idea of creating resolutions — figuring out what in your life could be better — but also wanting to be realistic about the way I’m looking at the blank slate that is 2007.

That said, I came across a fantastic approach to the whole ritual of making resolutions. Christine Kane posted recently with her idea of a better alternative, a way “to mark the beginning of a new year and the change that it represents” without making lame resolutions that are too lofty to keep. And I have to admit, it really fits perfectly with the way I want to look at this new year. She says:

One year I just decided to revolt against resolutions. I had my very own “resolution revolution.” I decided to simplify, to focus, and to be gentle about the approach. Here it is:
Pick a word for the year.
Just one word. That’s all.
Then, hold that word in your mind throughout the year, and let your word guide you to take action.

When I read that, I instantly thought of what my word(s) would be: Happiness (or more specifically, joy and gratitude).

Just yesterday, when I asked Chris if he had made any resolutions for the year, he told me that he’s more of a “just decide to do something, and then do it” kind of person. Resolutions aren’t really his thing. When something needs taking care of or changing, instead of creating some lofty goal for what needs to be done or waiting for a specific time of year, he just does it. Have I mentioned I think he’s rad?

Just decide to do something, and then do it.

And that totally made sense to me. I told him that I had decided for 2007 to simply choose to be happy. It’s a choice, my friends. If you know me, you know that I am generally a pretty happy person. But last year, being the hard and trying year that it was, it wasn’t always easy for me to be happy. And I wasn’t for a lot of it. And I know that affected the people around me, oftentimes in negative ways. Then as I was reflecting on last year and looking forward to how I wanted this year to play out, I realized that I have SO MUCH to be thankful for that it’s ridiculous to get caught up in the things I don’t have or with feelings of not being able to keep up.

I choose joy this year. And I choose to live that out through gratitude, by reminding myself everyday of the amazing blessings in my life. I also know that realistically I can’t always be happy this coming year, which is why I am intentionally adding the words joy and gratitude. Because, let’s face it — even when I’m pissed at the world or sad or tired, I can’t help but find joy in knowing that I have a daughter who squeals at the sight of me, a husband who cooks amazing meals for me and a dog who sits on command for me! Life is good. I am indeed full to the brim.

On a side note, I also am choosing to dwell on the word “creativity” this year, as well. I think it’s in keeping with my theme of joy and gratitude. When I am in a good place emotionally, mentally and physically, I am always much more creative and inspired. I have lacked inspiration lately, and I am realizing that as I have started being intentionally grateful for the things in my life that bring me joy, I have more desire to breathe deeply and create.

Whew — those are my thoughts on resolutions and the year to come. If you made it all the way to the end of this rant, I’m sure you are resolving to skim my posts from now on!

Here’s to an extraordinary and inspired year of living!