(snapshot taken by a friend at a restaurant late one night, after one of Bart's games)
Hello, Dear Readers.....
Today is the last day of the year and I've been "hearing" so much chatter online, as we approach the new year, about all of the changes that different ones are looking forward to making in the new year. There's always lots of New Years Resolution talk and it just made me think that perhaps I could take a minute today to encourage you.
What if, instead of listing out all of the things you want to change about yourself or your life, this year you gave yourself permission to just be? What if you allowed yourself to be content? What if you decided that this year, you are happy with you? What if you slowed down and actually enjoyed life a little?
There is certainly nothing wrong with setting goals and working hard to achieve them. But I bet if you learned how to focus on looking for the joy in your life rather than focusing on the things you're unhappy with and want to change, you'd end up much better off in the long run. I mean, let's face it.....we all have junk in our lives that isn't fun. Sometimes life throws us a curve ball and there are crappy things that we have to deal with whether it's health issues, financial struggles, family drama, etc.....everyone has to deal with crud sometimes. But I find that the more I work on learning to be content, the more I look for the joys in life, the happier I am. It's certainly not always easy. But it's worth it.
You deserve to be happy. You deserve to be content. So why not make 2011 better by striving for joy rather than perfection?
- Give yourself permission to slow down and actually r.e.l.a.x. a little. Relax - what a concept, right? :)
- Celebrate the small stuff. Did your potty-training little one make it thru an entire day with no accidents? Celebrate with M&M's and milk! Is your entire family going to be home at the same time on the same night? Make it a family party night! Eat a fun dinner together. Watch a movie or play a game together. Make happy memories together while you can because you know as well as I do that sometimes it feels like life is rushing by at the speed of light!
- Whether you're alone or have a house filled with loved ones, look for things to rejoice over. Pull out your camera and take pictures of things that make you smile. Sometimes I think being a wannabe photographer gives me lots more opportunities to look for the joy in things because I want to capture that joy with my camera. So perhaps for you, you could pull out your camera more often and snap away at the happy around you. ;)
I guess all I'm trying to say this morning is that I want you to be happy and content. Regardless of your circumstances. That doesn't mean that you have to be delusional and unrealistic. But it does mean that you can be happy in spite of the crud you're facing at the moment. I get a lot of comments and emails about how I must live a "charmed life" and I can assure you that I do NOT. LOL! I just choose to look on the bright side and share my joys with you. It doesn't mean that I'm dishonest with you.....I've certainly shared some of my hard times here (like being laid off a year and a half ago). But the thing is, you've probably got your own set of woes in your life so why would you want to come here and have to read all about mine too? I want you to come here and feel better after your time with me. I want you to feel welcomed here and like you've come into my home, where I hope you'll feel comfy and cozy and loved. I want to be positive and caring, uplifting and encouraging. There are certainly days when I'm none of those things (just ask my family - *wink*) but it's a choice. Striving for contentment and joy is also a choice, one that I think is worth making.
In 2011, I wish each one of you joy in your heart and contentedness beyond measure.
All my love,
