Happy 2011!

I wanted to take a little time to think about what 2011 was going to be about for me, or at least what I hope it will be about, before I acknowledged that it was really here.

I have seen many comments in regards to 2010.  "Goodbye 2010 - you were a real bitch".  "Let's hope 2011 is better."  "2010 SUCKED!!!!"

2010 was really a good year for me.  I finally shoveled out from under a bunch of shit that I thought I had to carry for everyone else.  I found myself and who I wanted to be not what was dumped on me or that I was sucked into.  I also learned how to protect myself from being sucked in and dumped on.

I found a lot of new things, new experiences and new people in 2010.  I also found people that I'd always known but, now I see them differently.  I like that.  I hope they see me differently as well.

I don't know what 2011 has in store for me.  Sure, it's the 10th anniversary of meeting my husband, the 10th year we'll have lived in our house, you know - big milestone things.  I'm curious to see what One Small Soap brings to me this year.  I'm curious what Aromatherapy does with me this year.  I'm curious what my son accomplishes this year - when he finishes preschool and starts Kindergarten.  I hope to come here more often.  I hope to get back into the swing of being a regular blogger again.  We'll see where these 'hopes' lead.

I have hopes.  I have things that I want to do and see or try.  I'm not the type of person who makes resolutions, so I won't.  I know I won't stick to them.  I came across this poem and this is how I want to live and the kind of person I want to be in 2011.

JUST FOR TODAY

Just for today I will be happy. This assumes what Abraham Lincoln said is true: 'Most folks are about as happy as they make their mind up to be.' Happiness comes from within; it is not a matter of externals.

Just for today I will try to adjust myself to what is; not try to adjust everything to my own desires. I will take my family, my business, and my luck as they come and fit myself to them.

Just for today I will take care of my body. I will exercise it, care for it, nourish it, not abuse or neglect it, so that it will be a perfect machine for my bidding.

Just for today I will try to strengthen my mind. I will learn something useful. I will not be a mental loafer. I will read something that requires effort, thought, and concentration.

Just for today I will exercise my soul in three ways: I will do someone a good turn and not get found out. I will do at least two chores I don't want to do, as William James suggests, just for exercise.

Just for today I will be agreeable. I will look as well as I can, speak diplomatically, act courteously, be liberal with praise, criticize not at all, nor find fault with anything, and not try to regulate or improve anyone.

Just for today I will try to live through this day only, not tackle my whole life problem at once. I can do things for twelve hours that would appall me if I had to keep them up for a lifetime.

Just for today I will have a program. I will write down what I expect to do every hour. I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it. It will eliminate two pests: hurrying and indecision.

Just for today I will have a quiet half hour by myself and relax. In this half hour sometimes I will think of God, so as to get a little more perspective into my life.

Just for today I will be unafraid. Particularly, I will be unafraid to be happy; to enjoy what is beautiful; to love; and to believe that those I love, love me.
--- Copyright © Sybil Partridge

I hope your 2011 is full of peace (that was the 2nd time I typed 'peach'), health, love, light, joy, and happiness!