Resolution #2

While sitting around the table after dinner, on boxing day, so began the discussion of New Year's Resolutions. I must admit that I started it because I was searching. I have all the regular ones, like lose some weight, eat healthier, exercise more, be kinder, less computer more people, etc, etc. I wanted something more profound. Not so self centered. Focusing on self is good, but there has to be balance. I have a friend (really I do) who says she's going to make 52 meals this year and deliver them to those in need. Whether they are in financial need, emotional need, spiritual need....whatever. She is going to make a meal a week and spread the love. I know she'll do it too, because that is just the person she is. This touched me greatly. I, too, want to do something like this. I want to help. I want make a difference. I want to spread the love. Share what I can. I know this is something we all crave. I don't know how to do this.

We have a Jesus stocking that we use at Christmas time. I tell the kids that every time they do something nice for someone, to write it down and put it in the Jesus stocking.What else would Jesus want for his birthday, but kids spreading good deeds? There were little pieces of paper in the sock this year.Good deeds done and hidden in a sock for Jesus. I'm taking my cue from the sock. I can't think of a single thing to do for the entire year; but I can think of many.

Of course on a daily basis I always try to be kind to others. Hold doors where I can, smile to those I feel need it that day, offer kind words, help carry bags, etc.....But for 2012, I'm going to try and make a point of going out of my way to do something for someone else, every week. At least once a week I'm going to offer help where I perceive a need. Sounds easy enough. I know this to not be true.

I live in a small town and there are no soup kitchens to volunteer at or homeless people sleeping in the streets. Although this is not out of my reach (and will be considered), finding ideas to do locally might be limited. Also, some people are proud and don't want help. I need to be careful with that.There's no saying that some kindnesses can't be repeated. Indeed, some WILL be repeated.

I'm going to get my children involved. They are at that critical age and I'm going to seize the moment. That's another resolution of mine ~ to set a better example for my children. It'll kind of be like "random act of kindness day", but for the whole year. I think we can accomplish great things together. If you have any ideas that you would like to share, for spreading love and kindness, please leave them with your comments. And feel free to join in. I'm not the first to do this and won't be the last. Let's make 2012 the best year EVER!

I had  let it be known this past month, that my favorite song for the season was, "An Instrument of Peace" by the Canadian Tenors. I heard it on another friends' blog, and loved it immediately. I have since bought the whole album. When we went to church on Christmas Eve, the entire homily delivered by a visiting priest, was about being an Instrument of Peace. I figured that was some sort of sign. It seems only fitting that this be the song for this particular post. ~ Enjoy!

ALONE

I have a friend( here we go again), who spent Christmas Eve alone. She made a plate of her favorite snacks, snuggled in with a blanket and a good movie, and a great glass of red. She tweeted a few friends, texted a bit and had a great evening on her own. I was a little envious of her alone time. I also had another friend comment that she was envious, as well. I know some that would have been horrified at the thought. Some would think this the worst night EVER! How sad! Poor thing!

It all has to do with frame of mind I suppose. You can choose how you feel about your alone time. I know so many moms who crave it. Busy lives demand a lot of time and there are so few hours in the day. When it's our choice, we love it. Run a bath, have a glass of wine, talk with an old friend on the phone, write a letter, read a book, start or finish a project, go for a walk, ride your bike far and wide, or just sit and stare at the ocean.

Why is it so hard for us to not appreciate our alone time when it is thrust upon us? Why can we not focus on anything else except the fact that you didn't ask for this?  Somehow this now becomes the worst thing ever. We are so dependent on everyone else to fill our time that we sometimes forget to work on ourselves. Being a whole person first, makes for better alone time. Something I plan on working on in the new year. I've always loved my alone time, but what if it was thrust upon me? I have so many friends who are in this position right now and all who are reacting differently. Some people have more time before they "find someone", to work on this, I guess. I'm not saying that some circumstances would not cause you to be overcome with grief, where the "aloneness" would seem more of a punishment than a luxury. I want to know that I'm strong enough to have the ability to focus on how much I have always enjoyed being by myself. How many times I craved it and never got it, how many times I demanded it and reveled in it.

 That's not to say that I don't appreciate the time I spend with my family and friends. I do love that, too.  But there needs to be a balance. It may sound selfish but.........I plan on taking more time for myself in the New Year to be "alone"! Independent and self sufficient are not words that I readily use to describe myself, but I hope by the end of the year, they are the first two.

I already have a road trip planned for April. A week alone, just me and the car. Driving when I want, eating when I want, sleeping when I want. Stopping and staying wherever  the wind blows me. Making my own decisions on a whim. I'm terrified and super excited all at the same time. Can you guess where the wind will blow me? The ocean is calling my name!

God forbid that I should ever be in a situation where I am single again, but I want to work on the part of me that I know is the weakest. It's also a good example for my kids. At least that's what I tell myself when I feel guilty for taking time for me. *wink* I KNOW it is.

I hope you all think a little about yourself this year and take some time to develop you, as a whole person. It's important and it benefits everyone around you. Not the ENTIRE year, mind you. I also have another New Year's resolution which I will share in the next post!