HAPPY 2016! I don’t know about you but there is just something so special about the first day of a new year. It is like the beginning of a new adventure, the beginning of a new book, or new movie. We have absolutely no idea what is ahead. It can be scary and uncertain. As I get older I see and understand just how precious our time is and how unpredictable a new year can be. I am also so appreciative of the past year, with all the good, bad and ugly. It was 365 days of fun, frustrations, peace, turmoil, laughter, crying, excitement and exhaustion. It was a year in a life.
When my boys were little and we would be off on some excursion, whether it be a trip to the zoo or Target, something would invariably happen. Our catch phrase became, “always an adventure”. That is still the case. To this day, there seems to always be something in each day, week and month that becomes a new adventure to either sail with, muddle through or climb over.
Earlier this week I began thinking of this new year ahead and how I would approach it. I looked back at my past New Years:
Last year I used the word “Intention” rather than Resolution when looking at the beginning of the New Year. I was really excited about entering a new year with a completely clean slate to see what the year would bring. I was looking for a better year, and 2015 did not disappoint. It had its ups and down, as they all do. Life is not dull, or does not stay dull for long, and it keeps coming at us whether we are ready, welcoming or exhausted!
The year before, 2014, was a look at gratitude and the simple things I am thankful for:
A New Year . . . A New List of Gratitude
2013 was the year to find JOY again:
The year before I did not share my new year goals but talked about keeping fitness resolutions.
This year I read a couple of new ways to ring in the New Year that interested me. You may have heard of one or both. The first is to write a BURN LETTER. The concept here is to make a list, or a vent or rant, write out any regrets, should ofs and could ofs, hurts, unforgiven issues, simply anything that is either stewing, or on your heart. Write it all down and then burn it. Get rid of it. In this way, you can start fresh. The author referenced in my link seems to find it so therapeutic and helpful in beginning a new year.
The other way to begin the new year is by finding a single word to focus on throughout the year. I confess, I am a little more intrigued with this idea and am working on my word. I have narrowed it down to two, and by now am leaning more toward one. When I looked into this I was surprised to find there is an entire community, Facebook page, Tribe and blog on finding one word for the year. Check out oneword365.
As I am writing it is evening on New Year’s Eve. Football is playing in the background and the Second and Third Sons are home. I am perfectly happy in my blue jeans! I am obviously not going out on the town for a big New Year’s Eve celebration. I will be lucky to see the ball drop. Maybe I’ll set my alarm . . . it makes me think of this:
So, whether you are celebrating by watching football at a game, at home, with friends, out on the town dressed in heels and sequins or spending a quiet evening at home, I hope you ring in the New Year looking forward to a wonderful blank page full of good health, great times, and fun new adventures in 2016!
Happy New Year!
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