write / sew / live - Penny Poppleton

Would you believe I'm not the type to do resolutions? I know, I know. I'm so Type A it's gross. I plan everything. But resolutions don't make sense to me. I suppose because I am constantly setting (and achieving!) goals it seems like a waste to dump them all on one day. Aren't we really making those resolutions for days, months, or years before we declare them? I tried to come up with a list, and this is what it looks like:

Take a quilting class. Just one. It is tough while breastfeeding but make it work.
Read more books. Remember books? You like those. Read more and write more.
Be a good leader.

Yeah. That's it. Blah. Nothing inspiring or concrete! Where's the "lose ten kilos" goal, or the "floss every day" goal? Nowhere to be seen. Because goals like that I feel free to make any time of year. If I feel chubby or unfit, I pick myself up and go to the gym. If I feel small and unkind, I do something nice for someone. I try and achieve a sense of balance in everyday life.

I suppose I sound really smug, but honestly, I was tired of feeling bad for not "achieving" goals I felt pressured to make. So this year I'm keeping it simple, and doing things I want to do anyway. As an autodidact, I live in a constant state of self-led education. This is something I wake up and decide to do every day: today I will learn something new.

Since my list of resolutions is so hazily dismal, I thought instead I would talk about what I am grateful for. When it comes down to it, 2011 was my year. Everything went well for us. We are exceptionally blessed. So I am thankful for:

For my husband, who is kind, generous, sympathetic and intelligent
For my daughter, who is a joy to watch unfold into the world around her
For my Parents-in-law who have been amazingly generous and helped us to buy a house
For our HOUSE! It is not technically ours-ours yet, but we signed and exchanged contracts!
For my best friend, for listening and sending the right email or text at always just the right moment
For my writing group, whose support and humor this year have made it clear I'm where I'm meant to be, doing what I'm meant to do
For my new sewing friends, who are sharing another passion with me
For my "mothers' group" (AKA my friend Ellen) and her baby Olive, just for being there and part of my life
For being fortunate enough to have rent, food, and bills covered
For the drive to work, to improve, to self-educate, and the ability to smile when things got difficult

So, 2012: BRING IT. Let's make this year even awesomer than last year!