Good Morning and Welcome to 2014!

Yes, we resolve to get as much sleep as possible!

I had a post all ready but at the tenth hour I pulled it, seemed all wrong in light of some sad news I received hours earlier.

I’ve had a quiet easing into this New Year - I went all out and purchased a book, Zoo, by James Patterson, to bring in 2014.

I made it halfway (it’s a page turner) and then the calls came - daughter and a few close friends wishing me a good one.

I tucked the book in my nightstand, headed to the bathroom for a final tinkle and as it was the start of a new day I stood on the scale (as I do every day) and smiled. Yes, 2013 had been a great year in the weight and health department!

I then crawled under the covers of my warm sheep-fleece comforter and said good-night to the universe - a nightly ritual.

I lay there, mind swirling with thoughts of the sadness that had engulfed me earlier, and wondered how people carry on after a devastating tragedy. 

Were these people even worrying about resolutions - I think not. No, they will be more grievously occupied - death has a way of doing that.

I thought of all the resolutions that were being made; lose weight, stop drinking, start exercising… the list goes on.

A few weeks into this shiny, squeaky-clean New Year and many will have fallen off the scale; the wagon; the treadmill and sunk deep into the pit of failure, shame and despair. 

All to what end?

In the meantime the year ticks on - January 1st loses its lustre as February 1st looms on the horizon with March 1st nipping close on its heels.

And so the months drift on.

We fall back into our “old” ways (of yesteryear) - eating the things we know aren’t good for us; pouring that extra drink when a long hot bath or leisurely walk would equally release the day’s stress; forgoing simple forms of exercise such as walking to the corner store, taking the stairs two flights instead of the elevator…

There’s always next year, the first day of another New Year, to try it all again.

So, here’s the thing…

We are all mere mortals, full of failings, shortcomings and flaws. Stop aiming for perfection… it is unobtainable. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Instead seek out a happy medium - find a good balance - be gentle on yourself if you don’t hit the mark the first time.

Remember, if you are desperate to start something on the ones - there are twelve first-of-the-month days - and then there are fifty-two first-of-the-week days - and if you really want to be different start a resolution on a random day and see how much fun that can be! (works beautifully for me)

Eventually you’ll toss the whole "first day of a New Year" aside for a good book, or a quiet night curled up with a loved one by the fire laughing at all those sillies out there stressing over a day that has no more significance than any of the other 364 that follow it.

Seriously… ask a person how important the first day of a New Year is when they are grieving over the loss of a loved one… and the only resolution they wished they had made was to say “I love you” a little more often, to hug a little longer, and show kindness daily.

Thank you for stopping in and letting me share my thoughts.

Cheers, Jenny

I would like to leave you with these questions - to ponder, and to answer, if you’d like, in one of your future posts; link it back here and I’ll make mention of it on my blog.

Did you accomplish what you had set out to do in 2013? 

Are you happy with your journey so far?

Will 2014 be “the year”? What does that even mean to you?

Did you make any resolutions? Have you made the same ones before?

Why is the first of January different than the first of any other month? Or is it?

And… last but not least…

If you could change one thing about “you” what would it be?

Look for my answers to these questions in an upcoming post...