And a Happy New Year to You, Love

My little New Year's Eve foot warmer (no wonder I couldn't stay awake!)

Once again, I rang in the New Year snoozing.  I guess I shouldn't be so hard on myself, seeings how I'm coming up on the big 6-0 and the fact that I had worked all day long.  But I think it's been quite a while since I've seen a glittery ball drop or a peach for that matter.  Yep, while everyone else was shooting off fireworks and celebrating, I was visiting Mr. Sandman.  Even as a teenager, I remember being the only one at sleepovers who wouldn't -- rephrase that, couldn't -- stay up past 11:00 o'clock.  If I ever did so by some miraculous happening, I greeted the next day with a sick stomach, dizziness, and an overall ickyness that lasted until the rest I so desperately needed was obtained.  This gal definitely needs her rest.  Even today, lack of sleep will bring on the sickies quicker than being in a room full of flu victims (although I wouldn't wanna do that either).  As for the New Year upon us, I would venture to say that, because of my amazing full eight hours of sleep, I might be a little more hopeful on this first day of 2015, unlike some others who are nursing hangovers this morning.  Also unlike those same party goers, I have the benefit of knowing exactly WHAT I was doing at 12:00 a.m., even though I have no memory to prove it because I was deep in the land of REM.

One funny thing about the New Year that seems to reoccur each and every year is the fact that on January 1, I have all the same things to do that I needed to do the night before at 11:59.  Beginning a brand-new year has nothing whatsoever to do with having the same responsibilities and duties one has as the day before.  Hmmm...what will I do with this day...  Today should be the day that I take down and pack away all my Christmas decorations.  Not sure that is gonna happen.  It is the day I should be cleaning and preparing for my sweet family to join us this week on the last leg of their trip before heading home again.  Probably will NOT happen today -- after all, I can clean anytime, right?  One thing that is sure to happen...I plan to cook a delicious meal, complete with greens and black-eyed peas for our New Year's dinner.  I think we all are a little tired of the fast food we have slipped in over the holidays and a great meal would be a welcome start to 2015.  But mostly, and without a trace of guilt, I may just spend a good part of the day sitting on my (un)royal duff and relaxing.  Sounds like a plan to me.  

But just like all who live to celebrate yet another new year (however they choose to do it, even if it's snoring through), I have hopes for a fresh new start as most do.  New challenges conquered; new places seen; new personal growth spiritually, mentally and physically; better health; healthier lifestyles; more intentional living for the benefit of others...the list can go on and on for the things people resolve to do when a new year is upon them.  I usually don't make New Year's resolutions because, if in fact I do, it's harder for me to keep them knowing that I uttered them out loud with my mouth.  Just the thought of someone watching to see if I keep up with those resolutions is enough to make me fail completely!  No, I just silently ponder the things I would like to see more or less of for myself, do better at, or just hope for.  Hoping for better things and working for those things to be accomplished is the sum total of what life is all about. 

So I wish for you this New Year's Day success.  Success in all the things you hope to do and accomplish this year.  Also success in the things you might not view as successes, but are as much a vital part of your life as those you do view as successes.  It's in those mistakes made and learned from and those less than desirable events in our lives that we come to be the well-rounded, well-intentioned individuals we hope to become.  May God take the total sum of your experiences -- past, present, and in the future, good and bad -- to weave you into that miraculous human being you are meant to be. Who could ask for anything more?

Happy New Year! 

---