NEW YEAR, NEW YOU
Well, after a long event-filled holiday season I am back in the blogging universe. Did you miss me? With January fourth staring at me from the calendar, most of us have set our intentions for the year (if you’re a chronic reader, you know that I don’t make resolutions. I believe they set us up to fail) or ‘resolutions’ for some that have been broken already. How many people do you think intend to quit smoking on New Years Eve and by 12:01 a.m. are smoking their first cigarette of the New Year?
So, why not discuss our intentions for this year (intention is such a friendlier word that resolute, isn't it?). I’ll tell you mine, if you tell me yours. For starters, my first intention is to teach the King to say please and thank you. Yes, you heard me, it’s a simple thing really, but good manners are seriously underrated. Okay, fine, he can still only say a few words, but how cute is it when a two year old walks up to you and says ‘please sir, can I have some more, peez.’ Sorry, I just can't help myself from quoting 'Oliver.' Plus this is an easy task - I could be very wrong on this - so it’ll make me feel super accomplished, and who doesn’t want to feel like that.
My second intention is to do something that scares me. Again, a huge umbrella, but I think it’s good each year to stare into the face of some huge burly lion, get to him to open his mouth and stick your head right on in there. No, I’m not being literal, so don’t go to your local zoo and try this. The aim of this is to take on a challenge that scares the bejeezus out of you and to do it anyway. This could be the simplest thing like getting over your fear of heights – or public restrooms…actually that’s way too big of a task for this year – or jumping out of a plane. Whatever it is, I assure you, once you tackle one thing you’re scared of, the rest will fall like dominos.
Thirdly, no more toxic crap. This one is a huge umbrella so it pretty much covers all bases. In my case, as I don’t eat that much toxic ‘crap’ unless my partner is insisting I try ‘the best thing ever.’ My partner is fond of superlatives and most things he eats just have to be tried; ‘come on babe, you have to try this, it’s the best thing ever!’ Usually, it’s not. But my intention this year is more focused on people, situations, and organizations (media etc). that make you feel toxic and not so good. It’s pretty simple really. Some things make you feel good and put a positive spin on your life; and other people and situations have so much baggage, that you end up feeling like an airline skycap with a fleet of Samsonite on your head. No thanks. The world is hard enough as it is, I don’t need any more negativity in my life. Take that Fox News!
Thirdly, no more toxic crap. This one is a huge umbrella so it pretty much covers all bases. In my case, as I don’t eat that much toxic ‘crap’ unless my partner is insisting I try ‘the best thing ever.’ My partner is fond of superlatives and most things he eats just have to be tried; ‘come on babe, you have to try this, it’s the best thing ever!’ Usually, it’s not. But my intention this year is more focused on people, situations, and organizations (media etc). that make you feel toxic and not so good. It’s pretty simple really. Some things make you feel good and put a positive spin on your life; and other people and situations have so much baggage, that you end up feeling like an airline skycap with a fleet of Samsonite on your head. No thanks. The world is hard enough as it is, I don’t need any more negativity in my life. Take that Fox News!
My fourth intention is to spend as much time with the King and my partner without being distracted by my phone or my laptop or anything electronic and life draining. As Einstein profoundly - and ironically - said, "our technology has outstripped our humanity." And isn’t that the sad sobering truth. At the moment the King is kissing my iPhone, so this may be a struggle for all of us. But damn it, it’s a new year, I can do just about anything.
Here's to new beginnings.