A New Year

A new year inspires us with the hope of a new beginning and opportunities abound. We see this as a chance to try new things, strengthen our resolve to do better, do more, be more. Winter is waning and spring is just around the corner. With spring comes new growth. Is it any wonder our hearts quicken at the thought? A new year means new adventures, new promises or renewed promises to ourselves and others. As I write, the very thought of it makes me smile. What will I resolve to do or do better in the coming year? There are so many prospects to choose from. I resolve to write more, not necessarily better (yet) just more. Better will come with practice. I will get back into a workout routine. I have certainly enjoyed the holidays and it shows! I plan to get a healthy eating schedule started and cook healthier foods. While these resolutions will certainly improve my quality of life, they will also affect my family. Jim, my husband, has similar plans for the coming year. My plan to eat healthier will definitely affect him. He’s enjoyed the holidays as well. We unabashedly attacked the cookies and candies and blissfully disregarded healthier foods or at least limited our intake. We made a conscious choice to just live in the moment and enjoy it without reserve. And so, if I see one more cookie I swear I’m going to be sick! It’s awesome! I’m “fixing” the problem without the unpleasant side affect of hating the fix. I wonder if anyone else has discovered the benefits of gluttony? Hmm.

That being said, I hope to expand my garden this spring, another New Year’s resolution. This one will be easy since I truly enjoy gardening. It can be restrictive; however, as it must be tended regularly. My husband sets up timers and sprinklers for me every year, so that’s a cinch. Most of my garden is in raised beds which require far less back breaking weeding and makes harvesting a breeze. The downside- I can’t leave for weeks at a time. But since I seldom go anywhere anyway, I guess its ok. So, back to my resolution to plant big and stay home- yup, gonna do that.

All in all, I look forward to 2023. The world may be in turmoil, but my life doesn’t have to be so. Did I mention that I can be a bit rebellious? So these big plans are just guidelines. I’ll give them a good effort, but I won’t berate myself if I backslide on any of them. I think that’s key to being happily successful. I’ll write more, if not improved, eat better most of the time, work out fairly regularly and expand my garden a little bit. That sounds good for a start. These will take me a long way towards an enriched life. I truly look forward to this coming year.

12/31/22