My One Resolution!

I use to always make a list of New Year's resolutions. The usual things -- less sugar and fat, more exercise, sticking to my budget, saving more money, etc. All very good, positive things!

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But by mid February, most of my resolutions were gone by the wayside, and life would be "back to normal", so to speak. I'd be disappointed in myself; and sometimes I'd feel guilty for not doing the right thing; and I'd often accuse myself of not having enough will power.

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But then the next Christmas, history would repeat itself. On Dec 31st, I'd make another list, resolving to do better beginning the very next day -- Jan 1st. But the resolutions never stuck. And the same vicious cycle would unfold with the disappointment and guilt and lack of will power. So, I gave up making New Year's resolutions.*

But as I've aged; as youth, vigor and beauty are replaced by humility, acceptance and an even greater capacity to laugh at myself; as I've persevered in raising my wonderful(and sometimes difficult) children; as I've dealt with life's ups (not enough as far as I'm concerned) and downs (more than my fair share, in my opinion); as I've continued in my faith and in learning about the God that I serve, I've come to realize that only ONE resolution is necessary for me:

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To keep following, trusting and seeking Christ.

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I am relatively powerless: and life will continue to happen. There will continue to be ups and downs. My children will continue trying to become independent in the best way they know how at that moment. My body will continue to deteriorate. My love of chocolate and the occasional fast food burger will not (after 55 years) go away. I will continue to purchase sometimes useless items at wonderful thrift stores for fantastic prices. This may or may not be the best my life will ever be! I don't know a lot of stuff about a lot of things.

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But I do know God. I know that He is not powerless; and I know that He has all things in His Hands; and I know that He is good.

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I also know that life is much too short and often quite beautiful.

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*So, I opt to resolve to continue to grow in Him .....

• To accept the changes that happen to me and around me; and when it's really difficult to do that, to hide myself in Him until (in the immortal words of Captain Picard) He can "Make it so!").




• To love myself more and more each day -- each additional grey hair or wrinkle, each new dimple on my at one time pretty little fanny, each ache of my knee joints.


• To pick myself up when I screw up yet again, and to keep tring to see myself as He sees me.


• To not judge myself harshly or beat myself up; because then my head is so full of "Bad, bad Sandy!" that I'm unable to hear the still small voice of God and the gentle life-changing guidance of His words.


• To complain less and smile more.


• To daily seek the wisdom of Christ.



• And while doing all the above, to ENJOY, ENJOY, ENJOY what He's given me

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Things like:

- My comfy home ... My friends old and new... My beautiful garden... My ungrateful children... My underpaid crappy job!

- My funny, cheerful, supportive, encouraging, lovely blogging friends (You are such a blessing to me!)

- My comfortable mattress (joy oh joy)... My hidden stash of chocolate (a dose of bliss when I need it!)... My jar of loonies and toonies (Google Canadian coinage) which equals the low price of that high cholesterol cheeseburger (with fries and a chocolate shake!!).

- The movement of my limbs as I walk (and a pair of good walking shoes)... Good books (and cheap Dollar Store glasses)... Music, music, music, always and everywhere music!

- A fairly abundant supply of hot water (and just enough lavender bath oil to last me until Mother's Day?)... A cup of hot tea on a quiet childless Saturday morning in front of the big window

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OMG! There is so much to be optimistic about. Are you gagging yet?

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If not,

You've got to ac-cen-tuate the positive

E-lim-inate the negative

And latch on to the affirmative

Don't mess with Mister In-Between

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You've got to spread joy up to the maximum

Bring gloom down to the minimum

Have faith or pandemonium's

Liable to walk upon the scene

(lyrics by Johnny Mercer)

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Thank you Bloggy World for joining me on this journey and sharing yours! And here's hoping that 2010 is absolutely wonderful for you all (and that your attitude to life is equally as great!).