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Not really resolutions either

I don't typically do resolutions. Not exactly, anyway. I try to use the end of one year/beginning of the next to think of ways I can do things better or differently (or eliminate or add some things). But coming up with a list of (lofty) things almost always leads to some disappointment or failure.

Last year (in late January, in fact), I decided to write two thank-you notes per month. Unfortunately, I did not quite achieve that goal, but I did send out notes of appreciation in instances when I might not have normally. And times when, for whatever reason, I did not put pen to paper, I at least made sure I thanked people via the phone or email. Back in December, I called my aunt to thank her for the birthday card she sent me. She said she was touched that I would take the time to say thanks for a card when most people would not think to do that. I told her at my age, I hardly get any cards, so I was appreciative. I also sent that same aunt a thank-you note a few weeks later for opening her home to me and the kid to spend time with her daughters and their families when she and my uncle were not even there. I think it is nice to get unexpected "happy" mail. And I would still like to send thank-you notes in unexpected situations. But I want to do something different this year, even if it is a little selfish: I want to count my blessings and appreciate what I have more than what I normally do.

To that end, and sort of stealing from an idea I read on Facebook, I am writing down good/positive things that happened in a particular day and placing them in a shoebox, the "Good Things" box as I will call it. At the end of 2013, I should have a lot of slips of paper (and with any luck, several shoeboxes full of them). I don't expect to have something to write down every day, but I am hopeful with my glass-half-full attitude, I can come close. So far, on the first day of 2013, I spent the afternoon with a good friend and her family, which was the first thing to go into the box. I also talked to my little brother, my mom, my older brother, and my dad, in that order, which is a pretty good way to start off the year. Today, J and I had a nice girls lunch out, and we managed to get all the groceries I could remember into our cart and in the checkout line at Walmart in 12 minutes flat. Those things made it into the box as well.

There are many other things I can and should do better and differently. And if any of those come to pass, I will probably write about them here. For now, I am going to attempt this sort-of resolution. Because even though life is not perfect, and this world can be a pretty screwed-up place, there are still many things to be thankful for and appreciative of. Wish me luck! And I hope you too can find something good/positive daily or almost so.

Comments

Cassie said…
Oh, I like that idea! It's fun doing just one thing a day to remind yourself that life isn't that dang difficult. That's also the beauty of keeping a blog. I tend to keep it real, but honestly, when I'm being annoyingly positive, that's how it really is at the time. Same goes for the negatives. Life has ups and downs, but it's good to be reminded of the ups.

Good luck!
Facie said…
Thanks. So far, so good. The kid and I worked on decorating the box tonight. Now if only I could get motivated to do some other things...

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