January 8, 2012

NEW LESSONS FOR A NEW YEAR

At mid-life, I'm learning that I don't really know as much as I thought I did.  That's a good thing!  It would be tragic to go thru the rest of life thinking I knew it all.

After my Dad's funeral in June, I saw a side of myself I thought was "fixed."  Boy, was I wrong--just ask my husband--and I now know I have lots of work to do.

I'm learning that things I once thought were important are really trivial matters.  I'm learning that pain in this life can be a good teacher, if I'm willing to endure the lessons.  I thank God for those lessons, as well as those individuals he sends my way to put those lessons in front of me.  I thank him for a heart that desires to learn and grow and not stay stuck in my stubbornness.

In years past I would make a list of New Year's resolutions, usually a number that I could give a catchy title to the list:  The Dirty Dozen, The Magnificent Seven, The Ten Commandments.  I would usually be able to keep most of those resolutions each year, but my efforts would wane toward the end of the year.  For 2012, I have but one resolution:  to be a more godly woman.  I think I'll call it "The One."  One commitment to the One who gave me a second chance at life.  I figure this one resolution encompasses every single area of life:  it will help me become a better wife, a better daughter/sibling, a better friend, a better coworker, a better artist.  It will help me take better care of my health, seek less stressful ways of doing things, seek more harmony in my relationships, look for ways to bring a smile to someone's face.

Anyone reading this who knows me, I'm asking you to help me be accountable here.  That would be beneficial to both of us.


Happy New Year.