Sunday, January 1, 2012

A New Year's Resolution

Happy New Year Everyone!  It's an absolutely beautiful Sunday here today and I am hoping to enjoy it as much a possible! 

Hard to believe it's the first day of a new year already!  What do you have on the calender for today?

Look closely, do you see what's on mine?  That's right friends it says; OFF!


God willing, that's exactly what I intend to do today.  Take off!   I hope to be out over the water soon enjoying the weather with good company.

Last night the Mr. and I went down to the boat to check on everything for today's sail.

And to watch the sunset on the last day of the year.  It was a wonderfully relaxing evening for us.  No big plans or commitments just a quiet evening alone.  Sounds good right?  Maybe....

Well, this evening while I was enjoying taking a well deserved break from the chaos that has become my life lately, I sat thinking about New Years resolutions.  I am not one to get too caught up in them as they are generally very hard to keep.  To me, resolutions also seem to be only a very small glimpse into one's idea of living life that year and I am a big picture kinda gal.  But there it was, the nagging purpose of a resolution that I just could not escape.  

The unexamined life is not worth living. - Socrates
  

I saw this quote recently posted on a friends FB page.  How timely!

As if that was not enough of a push towards making resolutions, I couldn't escape noticing the similarity in several quotes that were piling up in my quotes board on pinterest.





This last one has always been one of my favorite verses!  The reminder that yes we were all created with a purpose.

When life becomes hectic it can be hard to remember what that purpose is.  Our days become just one more day towards another until finally we reach the end of our days.  I have never wanted to live that way.  Unfortunately, so often due to our circumstances that is exactly what we allow to happen.  But, we don't have too.  We can take the time to reflect and change our course.

I came up with a few resolutions that I've thought would be wonderful to accomplish this year.  They are listed here in no particular order.

Career
1. Allow myself  more time to get ready in the morning
2. Listen better to others and not take everything so personally
3. Learn to eat healthier lunches while on break
4. Smile more!

Home
1. Let go of (donate) clothes that I no longer wear.
2. Juggle the housework better with working
3. Plan a better meal schedule with the Mr.
4.  Enjoy and appreciate every moment that I have to spend in my beautiful home.

Personal
1. Strengthen my spiritual life.
2. Learn how to use my new smart phone
3. Learn how to use my camera (read my new camera book!)
4. Focus on healthier living habits.
5. Enjoy my family and the company of others more!

All of these are great and definitely something to strive for but didn't I tell you I was a big picture kind of a gal.  Yes I did!  I told you that because for me a resolution has to be something bigger then that list above.  It has to be a summary of sorts.  So, I've come up with one that I really want to reach for.

My number one New Years resolution for this year is...

" To Live like you were dying!"

I certainly hope I am not offending anyone by saying this but honestly I just cannot get this thought out of my head.  I want to live everyday "knowing" I will not get the chance to live this day again.  I am hoping if I ingrain that in my memory, I will truly start to make the most of every day under every given circumstance.  I know I will not be going sky diving (like the song goes) or rocky mountain climbing literally but I think I can strive for that metaphorically.

To my knowledge I am not ill or leaving this world anytime soon, God willing again!  That is not where this is coming from.  It is coming from living a life that too often get's bogged down by circumstances.  It is coming from hearing myself and too many others say; "If I could do that, or if I had your talent, or if I knew how too....."

Well, what's stopping us?  I think we all can!  We just have to try!
wish all of you a very Happy New Year!


Thank you for this new day and for this New Year Lord!


8 comments:

  1. What a thought provoking post, but I guess this is the right day to be thinking about such things.
    Good Luck with everything on your list, I hope that 2012 brings you everything you could ever wish for.
    Stunning photo of the boats, btw!
    Just signed up as your newest follower,too.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Happy New Year Mary! WOW you set up a lot of resolutions and goals for yourself. That is fantastic. I do not do that, because I fear of failing and being too disappointed in myself. I take it as it comes and have a few things I NEED to do for myself. Love your new header btw!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great post, Mary! I hope 2012 is the year you live like you were dying!! Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Very inspiring!! Happy New Year to you and yours!

    ReplyDelete
  5. A great post Mary! I don't make resolutions either but I do hope to make 2012 a better year for me and my family.
    Happy New Year to you too!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow, Mary..you have a lot of things on your list! I only have one specific thing on my list and that is to lose about 10 more pounds...even that's not set in stone. The other thing on my list is a big picture goal very similar to yours and that is to live more intentionally. I love the new look of your blog! Happy 2012!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I think to "live like you were dying" is brilliant! You never ever know what tomorrow brings and to live life to its fullest is the greatest thing that you can do for yourself and for all those around you. My family is struggling right now after my brother's death and it is so hard to see people frankly be so stupid. I think I like to live life where I have no regrets and enjoy each moment. You have it right! Go for it! If you need help with the camera... let me know!!! One of my goals this year is to build my business! Wooo hooo! Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wonderful!!!

    (And I'm not usually that much into multiple exclammation points)

    I love the quotes you included, and I love the reminder that you will not be able to live this day over.

    I will attend my 4th funeral since Dec. 21 this afternoon. Death comes for us all. For some, it comes quickly. I need to get out of my wallow and get on with the process of living 2012.

    ReplyDelete

Hi Fellow Dreamers! Blogging is all about sharing. I enjoy reading your comments so please feel free to drop me a comment to let me know your here if you see something you like. Thank you so much!