I don’t really do resolutions, but I love the idea of really letting my mind soak in the events of the past year. It is my nature to immediately brush aside any unpleasantness or hardships in my life as I am experiencing them. I don’t often dwell on the difficulties of my life, as I am going through them, but I like to intentionally take the occasion of the New Year to think back, even briefly, on all that has transpired. Both the good and the bad.

Because of things that simply go with the territory of my husbands (now former) job, I have found myself becoming quite reactionary and a bit calloused as we have had to ride this rough road for so many years. Sometimes you find yourself in survival mode and thats ok, because that is what has enabled you to, indeed, SURVIVE! And thats what that mode is there for! But take my word for it, you don’t want to be stuck in that mode for too long. It isn’t meant for the long haul……..it’s meant to get you through the tough times.
I backpacked, I camped, I snow shoed and snowmobiled. I was stuck in a few blizzards and drove through a hurricane.  I travelled to Scotland and hiked the Cairngorms. I was high on mountaintops and I was down at the seashore. I had a huge black bear come up onto my front porch this year and I bought my husband a giant puppy. I made a lot of new friends in 2016 and I also lost a friend. I welcomed our daughter home from South Africa and I dropped one of our sons off at the airport on his way to Australia. I watched my Virginia family go through some difficult situations without being able to be at home with them. I met some amazing heroes this year and was honored to have them dine at my table. 2016- you were not boring.

In 2017, for me personally, I would like to become a little softer again. I would like for the Lord to soften and open my heart in a way that has seemed impossible over the past several years. To help me become more thoughtful, less reactionary and more grateful. I would like to rediscover an openness and a willingness to just let go and let the Lord work in our lives as the changes come, which they most certainly will.

I am quite blessed to have family and friends who are not only there for us, but who will instantly roll up their sleeves and get dirty with us. I am thankful for our own children, who never bat an eye at anything that our family might go through, they just lean in and press on. We have all learned to weather storms as a strong and unbreakable team. And that’s pretty priceless, really.

In this New Year, I hope to continue my yoga practice and get deeper into it. I am amazed at the way yoga has been so good for my mind and body! I will continue to eat well and experiment with different work outs and nutrition plans to keep growing in that area and figuring out what works well for my body and what doesn’t. At 48 years old, I feel like this has really moved up on my list. Mobility, feeling good, having energy……..those things are really important.

I am sure there will be a lot of travel for us in 2017, and I am looking forward to it! I hope to constantly hone my travel habits and skills. I hope that each new place will  further help me to become more “at home” no matter where I am in the world.

It is my intent to grow this little blog of mine in 2017. I want to write relevant and engaging content that will put a smile on your face and make you look forward to stopping by here.

And lastly, in this New Year, I hope to drink good wine, eat delicious, food and really open my eyes to the world and the people around me. I want to intentionally laugh more, smile more and be kind when it isn’t necessary. May I learn to savor the good moments and be grateful for them!

And that is my wish for you in 2017 as well.

2017- May we greet you with unbridled enthusiasm!

Happy New Year!

Share on Facebook

Tweet