BUT... What if we decided that 2010 was going to be the year:
...to be thankful for what we have, instead of bemoaning what we lack?
...to stop saying negative things about others, and instead look for the good in them--even those with whom we disagree?
...to take action to DO good, instead of just talking about it?
...to help others achieve their potential, instead of tearing them down?
...to change ourselves, our attitudes, instead of trying to change others?
...to seek to live in harmony with nature, instead of destroying it out of greed or ignorance?
...to give the other person the benefit of the doubt, to check things out first-hand, instead of believing rumors, whether verbal or written, and passing them on to others?
...to refuse to pass on to others ANYTHING we would not want passed on about ourselves?
We have a choice. We can enter the new year with the same old attitudes, the same prejudices, the same certainty that we are right and everyone else is wrong. Or, we can admit that, just maybe, we, too, are fallible human beings, subject to misunderstanding and being misunderstood, and subject to the same failings and uncertainties as others. We can choose to forgive, and enjoy the subsequent freedom from carrying those hurts around with us all the time. We can choose to learn from the lessons of the past without constantly reliving in the present the events that taught us those lessons. We can choose to let old wounds heal, without repeatedly subjecting ourselves to the same things that wounded us in the first place. We can choose to forgive ourselves when we fail to be the person we wish we were. In short, we can give ourselves and others permission to be human.
What kind of year would that be?
This coming year, I'd like to challenge you to find at least one good thing each day--one thing to be thankful for. And if you can't find anything to be glad about on a given day, you can always be glad that day is over and you can start over the next. Will you join me in this challenge? If so, please post your comments below. Let's see what kind of a year 2010 will be if we choose to look for the good in it and in each other.
Wishing all of my family and friends a happy, healthy, peaceful, safe, and uplifting new year.
what a great idea, Donna, and very true! I am hoping to take more control of my life instead of feeling like my life is controlling me. I want MY life back..to get back to who I was a few years ago, to be more honest with people about what I need or want from them, not just be the one giving. Maybe it comes down to just living a more genuine life - and doing my best to find my "happy".
ReplyDeleteGreat idea - just want to add. Focus on what you do want and not on what you don't want in your life.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments. Living a more genuine life is a great goal--being true to yourself, and realizing that we need to "take in" so we have something to "give out." A wise friend once told me, "If you don't take care of yourself, you won't have the strength or energy to take care of anyone else."
ReplyDeleteFocusing on the positive things in life is another great goal. Some say "you are what you eat." But it's also true that we are what we think. If we focus on negative things (thoughts, words, deeds), we will become negative people--discouraged, bitter, and depressed. If we focus on the positive things, we will find joy, peace, and contentment.
All great ideas, Donna. Negativiy has taken far too big a place in my life and I do want to change that! Looking for the good is always better! Thanks for posting this!
ReplyDeleteNegativity has too big a place in the lives of most of us. It seems the "bad" things get the most attention by the media, and I wonder what would happen in the world if more "good" things were reported. Would we see a rise in hope, maybe? An increase in self-esteem as a nation as well as individually? An increase in the determination to make the world a better place? Thanks for your comment, Deni.
ReplyDeleteToday - 2 days into 2010 I can be thankful for day 1 getting to spend time with my cousin and her daughter. I just love her to pieces!! Day 2 - thankful for the fabulous sleigh ride we all went on even if stephen fought us about going in the beginning. He had so much fun he wanted to go back out again!!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to go on a sleigh ride. Glad you had a good time.
ReplyDeleteI need to focus on being more patient. I used to be much more patient, but lately, I just don't have it. I have a lot that I want to do this year, and I need patience to do it. I want to get it all done NOW, and it's frustrating not being able to.
ReplyDeletePatience is a great goal, but a tricky one because the way to learn patience is to be put in situations that TRY our patience. Patience is learned when waiting in line at the checkout behind someone with a full cart in the 10 items or less line, or when another driver darts into the parking spot you were signalling to enter. When you feel yourself getting impatient, slow down. It sounds counterintuitive, but slowing down and taking a deep breath gives you time to think, clears your head, and allows you to act rather than react. Breaking goals down into smaller steps can also help ease the frustration because we can see and measure the progress we're making. Ah, Lord give me patience--NOW!
ReplyDelete