Thank Goodness It Is 2023
Contributed by Marilyn Bennett
Are you as happy as we are that 2022 is over? At our house we are so ready to have a new year. Last year was crazy. To start the year off, we had a wind storm on New Year's Day which took down two of our fences, blew away our small greenhouse and ripped the cover off our camper. It was a tough start to the year. As the year progressed we both had significant health problems. Then the year came to an end with another huge windstorm.
Thank goodness that 2022 is over and we can all start over again. 2023 has to be a great year if only because I survived last year. Also, I have begun this year with several new resolutions. To begin with, I have made several great New Year’s resolutions. I even wrote them down, and made a day-to-day plan, to ensure I won't forget. I know you think I will weaken in a few days or certainly by the end of the month. However, I have been spending the past year reading motivational books and listening to podcasts. I am determined to completely reorganize my life to be more positive no matter what happens. So here is what I have learned:
Most of the self help programs begin with getting up each morning at the same time. Ok, I can do that.
Next most of them go something like this: Make your bed. Ignore your phone. Go outside. Set a program for the day Brush your teeth. Say you are wonderful in your mirror.
I might have to skip the saying I am wonderful as when I look in the mirror first thing in the morning, I am in no mood to tell myself anything. Decided to wait until I had my first cup of coffee before trying that part of the program.
I was pleased that one of things most of the self help books thought important was making the bed first thing in the morning. That is the one thing that I have always done and I regularly brush my teeth before my first cup of coffee.
Ignore your phone! That part is easy for me as I have refused to become attached to my phone and in fact only have an (old fashioned) flip phone. I know that sounds almost medieval (as my daughters would say) but with my eyesight I prefer a big screen and so only use my phone for what it was originally intended for....calling a friend or for use in an emergency.
Then there was the suggestion that I should keep a log of all the good things that happen each day because of my positive attitude. That actually sounds like a lot of work and if nothing good happens it could be depressing so I have decided to skip that part of the program.
Make plans the night before for the next day. As I noted earlier I have actually planned the entire year out and so only have to get up each day and follow the plan.
Go outside. Now that is something that has taken on more importance to me since the windstorm just before this Christmas. It piled up a four foot drift in front of our front door and a five foot drift on our deck and patio door to effectively trap us inside over Christmas. Luckily we were not expecting company, as both daughters went south for Christmas. We did have heat, intermittent electricity and plenty of great food so we were fine. It did, however, make both Doug and I appreciate the freedom of being able to leave the house. We also marveled how the pioneers existed up here before central heating and well insulated houses.
I am so looking forward to this new year and would like to share one of my favorite New Year Quotes:
"The New Year is a painting not yet painted;
a path not yet stepped on,
a wing not yet taken off!
Things haven’t happened as yet!
Before the clock strikes twelve, remember that you are blessed with the ability to reshape your life!” Mehmet Murat Ildan, Turkish Author
Also, remember your New Year's resolution and let it inspire you to have the best year ever, no matter what outside events conspire against you. I have found that adversity helps all of us appreciate the good times and shows us the kindness of our neighbors and friends.
Wishing you the best New Year ever. As for me, I will be writing more, painting more and getting out and about. Hope to see you and share good times with you and yours in our delightful little city of Palmer.