that quote above got me thinking, so, here are my
(DO NOT CHANGE) RESOLUTIONS FOR 2011
The past few months of 2010 have proven to be galvanizing, encouraging, positive and fulfilling. I am on a roll! I would like to keep rolling along on this path through 2011. For those reasons I would like to continue to:
BE POSITIVE: I do my utter best to turn lemons to lemonade, shit into sunshine and generally have a positive outlook. I tend to err on the side of "if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing" and only confide my worries, fears and negative thoughts to trusted friends.
STAY MINDFUL: I have spent the majority of my adulthood running at break-neck speed headlong forward into the unknown doing as many things as I can manage all at once. My friends will tell you that I deal with negative situations with one phrase: "onward". I discovered in 2010 a way to slow down, be more aware, be more grateful, choose uni-tasking rather than multi-tasking and be more mindful of my environment, my effect on those around me and their effect on me.
MAINTAIN FOCUS: For someone going in many different directions at one time it was difficult to dial it back and focus. This year I made room for mental clarity and focus: raising my children with purpose and integrity; being honest with myself about my self (the good, the bad, the really, really bad); maintaining a set of standards which are not too rigid, but solid enough that I can be reliable and predictable.
KEEP LEARNING: I have an insatiable appetite for learning new things. Last year was a great year for putting a list together of what I wanted to learn and learning them as well as improving the skills I already have. My "I didn't get a degree" inferiority complex has been somewhat assuaged by my continuing curiosity and appetite for learning.
ENJOY EVERY DAY: There are plenty of crappy days. With four kids it's impossible to have many perfect days as there is always some drama or another to deal with. But even with the teaching, guidance, choices, annoyances, drama, there is always something good to find in each day. The idea is to be mindful and find those small things that radiate joy. Joy is truly in the small things.
BE PASSIONATE: I have always been driven. Often without a road map! I have learned this year to be passionate. There is a difference. I want to explore it further. Who knows where I'll end up following my heart? I'd like to find out.
CELEBRATE OTHERS: I have never been stingy in spirit and always look for a reason to celebrate others accomplishments. My favourite thing to be is a cheerleader! One of the great joys of having a gaggle of children is being exposed to so much growth and reasons for celebration: sports accomplishments, performances, academic achievements, even in loss and screw-ups there are lessons to be celebrated. There are so many big and small events: my friends lose weight, gain a family member, get a new job/promotion, house train a pet, get a publishing deal, beat a disease, go onto a design team, move to a new home. There are so many reasons to celebrate with others in their success. This year I'd like to add an element of card-sending and gift-giving to better express in a more personal way my happiness!
While there are still aspects of my personality that require some examination, I think I'll be well on my way to a great 2011 if I follow the ideas outlined above.
What is your potential in 2011?
