What I Know About: Writing New Years Blog Posts

Around this time of year I usually write a post about what I am going to do next year. I can say usually because this is the third New Years post I have written for I’m Every Woman… Where has the time gone!

It has been a stellar year for me. It has been the kind of year that would have played well on a reality show. Full of ups and downs… elation and sadness… surprises and just plain weirdness.

So let me recap

Career
Dec 18 of 2007 stepped through the door to my new office, not really knowing what would come of this new job. 12 months later The work I have done on some just really fun projects have earned me the privilege of being a featured speaker or panelist six times, I have been quoted in 3 publications including Business Week, and I even won a national award. I LOVE THIS JOB!

Babies
One of my friends had all her prayers answered and she had a baby boy… my godson. Then… about 3 weeks later my brother who swore he would never have any children welcomed is daughter into the world…my niece.

Travel
Between work and play this year I went to San Jose, OC/LA, Boston, New York, Austin, Dallas, Rome, Venice and London… It sure was fun but boy am I tired!

I also celebrated year one in my house, bought a new car, dropped my oldest daughter off for her first day of high school, I was consumed by the election and so excited about our new president.

After this year I feel like anything can happen. I am for the first time in a long time excited about the possibilities. So what am I gonna do next year? I really don’t know. I am sure that the year will be filled with all kinds of crazy adventures and new opportunities. But while all that is going on…

A- I am going to loose this 20 pounds that I put on this year, plus hopefully a little more. I guess all the excitement made me hungry! I am going to be passionate about my health in 2009

B- I am going to go back to school. I found what I think is the right masters program for me. I am going to apply go, and hopefully finish before I have to drop my daughter off at college

C- I am going to be even more diligent about my finances. I have this dream of getting 2 mortgage payments in the bank

D- I want to try and get all of the anger and hate and animosity that I held for the people that have done me wrong out of my heart. Clean slates for everyone in 2009

I like the new year because it gives you place to reflect on how far you have come, and it gives you a natural place to call a re-do on anything you need improve on.

What are you going to do in 2009? What have you been through and what do you need to call a re-do on?

I Think: Resolutions For a Lifetime, Not a Year

Resolutions For a Lifetime, Not a Year
By: Mia Black
1/17/08

As I step into this year and put the lock on last year, I have been careful when I speak of my resolutions. These past two years, I have made sure that they are changes that will bring a new me, not a temporary me. My "diet" is not diet by the traditional diet standards. It just involves more vegetables, water, and less sweets. I pray that I will stick with my exercising and make it part of my lifestyle. And I've prayed to God that 2008 be the last year I work for anyone. So when I walk into 2009 I will be my own boss, running my publishing company. I want this to be the year that I learn to embrace faith, no more questioning if God hears my prayers and no more looking back. I've stepped into 2008 with some wonderful lessons from 2007, but it is only the lessons I will carry forward, not the mistakes, pains or strives.

Last year I asked that my house come to order. Through the grace and mercy of God, that has come to pass. With my house being in order, I can concentrate on myself this year and work on my dream of becoming a published author and business owner. And because God has blessed and surrounded me with so many positive people, I know in 2008 I can't lose!

But this is what I mean about lifetime changes. When these things come to pass, they will be life altering and bring about change not only for me, but for my husband and children also. I will be liberated from the daily grind of a monotonous office job, and be at the forefront of my children's legacy. How absolutely rewarding that will be. I can't wait.

What I know: Being a Blessing

I am sure that you will all be glad to know that I did it. Around this time last year I wrote a post about looking forward, and not looking back in 2007. Well I stuck to it. In 2007 I moved forward is many aspects of my life. I can truly say I am not the same woman that I was on Jan 5, 2007.

So here we are Jan. 2, 2008, coming off what I feel like was a big win. Ready to claim my goals for this year. I aspire to gain for more control in my finances and more control of my diet. I just want to be more, do more, build upon the momentum that has begun.

In 2008 I will do more.

I have been blessed with a home, a great job, beautiful children, great friends, & people who love me. Most days I go home to my house and my kids, cook dinner and settle in for a night of tv. Sure I am kinda active in the church, and I sometimes have pto meetings or work functions to go to, but most nights it is just me and the tv.

The point is I have more to give than what I am giving. I could be a bigger blessing, or become a better parent, or start a new business. I can do more.

What I know about: Not looking back

By Jennifer Texada

On my somewhat long list of resolutions having to do with health, wealth and organization there is one that stands out

"In 2007 I will move forward and not look back"

In truly examining how I was going to do this I realized, to truly move forward without looking back I think you have to forgive yourself for your actions of the past, truly forgive the people who have caused you pain and learn to be grateful for the lessons you learned and use those lessons to direct your forward path.

The biggest obstacle to moving forward is forgiveness. Forgiving yourself, and truly forgiving the people in your life that you feel have caused you pain. You can't cast blame and move forward at the same time.

If you have done something that has been of detriment to your progress, acknowledge it, pray on it, and let it go. It is over. Re-living and obsessing over it is not going to un-ring the bell. Take the lesson from it. Be grateful that in this stage of your life you have learned such a profound lesson that is SO important to your growth and… keep it moving.

The same rings true for forgiveness outside of yourself. To me, anger and grudges are like stepping in crap. Half the time you don’t even notice you have done it until it’s too late. Then you’d better wipe it clean quickly or you are going to hold on to it wherever you go, and once it gets dried up there is always a little stuck in the crevices.

People often ask, how I can remain friends with people who have treated me pretty poorly in the past. Sure, I get mad at people, but it never lasts long, I have no motivation for carrying negative energy around with me. It is heavy and it makes me feel awful. Anger is an emotion, like any emotion, it comes and passes. At the end of my anger I try to find gratitude for the lesson learned through this person or event. People move through your life for a reason. Whatever was done to you, made you stronger, or smarter, or more self- sufficient. Whatever it is you would not be the polished diamond that you are becoming if you hadn’t been squeezed by that lump of coal.

Someone once told me if you want to figure out if you have truly forgiven someone, buy him or her a gift. Not just a dollar store bauble, but really come out of your pocket and buy something that they would love. I would add onto that, give them a hug; if you have truly forgiven them you won't wince or shrug, you will embrace them with you whole body and heart. We are human, thus all flawed, and everyone makes mistakes. In my opinion, it is not my job to judge you or punish you for what you did to me or anyone else. God has got my back, and if you are not doing right he will take care of you far better than I ever could..

There are some amazing things coming my way, this year, I KNOW IT! I refuse to miss out something because I am too busy looking backwards. I resolve to find and let go of any lingering self doubt or hurt I have accumulated in the past year and truly move forward free of burden, free of fear.