Hey gang, happy Saturday, happy year-end celebrations, and Happy New Year! Bring on the party! YEE-HA!! If I weren’t so technically challenged, I’d throw in some balloons and confetti, so just pretend with me.
2006 has been a good year for me. I hooked up with the Berkley Babes, and there’s not a better group of ladies around—fun, creative, and just plain nice. Thank you, BBs! 2006 has also seen the completion of three writing projects for me, all coming out in 2007: Touched by Darkness (book one of my new Sentinel series), Street Corners & Halos, my vampire/prostitute heroine story, which is in the Demon’s Delight anthology with MaryJanice Davidson, Emma Holly and Vickie Taylor, and Touched by Fire, the second Sentinel book. I am so blessed to be able to write and be published. Even after seven years of publication, I still can’t believe it. It still feels surreal.
So, what’s in store in 2007? Hmmm. I’m not a big goal setter—pretty much a by-the-seat-of-the-pants kind of girl. But it’s always nice to at least think about making a few resolutions, even if you don’t actively seek them. For one reason, thoughts are things. Repeat after me: Thoughts are things. If you think something long enough, often the universe will facilitate it for you. So you might as well think about something you’d like to happen.
My goals for 2007? Well, there are the usual: lose weight, exercise more, make more money, clean out the clutter in my house, accomplish more things on my to-do list, etc. Those are the usual goals that many of us have, and there’s nothing wrong with them. *But* they’re either about things or appearances, and guess what? In a hundred years, they won’t matter a bit. No one will remember if your house was clean or you wore a size four or could afford a new car every year. But they will remember if their mother/grandmother/great grandmother was a nice person; if she was funny and happy and had a zest for living. And your soul will remember the acts of kindness you performed. So, with that in mind, here is my *real* resolution list for 2007:
1) Be happy. Focus on what I have, not what I don’t have.
2) Be joyous. Try to feel joy in something—a simple accomplishment, a walk outside, an evocative song, the smile of a loved one, every day.
3) Be patient. Stop gritting my teeth because the car in front of me is going too slowly, or because a family member is slower than molasses.
4) Be kind. Realize that not everyone has my luck, my resources, or my support network. And maybe offering a genuine smile or a kind word might bring some light to someone who desperately needs it.
5) Take care of myself. I’ve just got this one body and I have to make it last. I do want to eat better, try to exercise some every day (while I’m finding joy on that walk, maybe?), and get more sleep! I’m adding “Get more sleep” to my list a few times, because I never get enough.
6) Tell family members and friends that I love them more often.
7) Take small moments from the mad rush and just savor being alive.
8) Eat more chocolate.
9) Read more books.
10) Smell more roses.
11) Take some time everyday to do at least one thing I love to do (play a tune on the piano, dance to a song, drink a cup of coffee, or watch a TV show I like).
12) Do something that’s not just about me. The above resolutions are important, because if I don’t take care of myself, then I can’t take care of others. But sometimes I need to forget “me” and do something for someone else. So I will try to be alert to opportunities to give back what I have received.
13) Try to give thanks every day for my numerous blessings, which includes all of you, fellow BB’s and friends, on this loop.
14) Be happy! Yes, that’s also number one, but it’s soooo important. My new motto while I’m eating my Oreos (or anything chocolate): “Got happiness?”
Will I manage to meet all these resolutions? Probably not—at least not all the time. It’s too easy to get bogged down in the mad rush of everyday living and think: “I’ll do that tomorrow.” But it’s worth a try—and it’s certainly worth thinking.
May each of you have a happy, healthy, fun, productive, and prosperous 2007. And may your thoughts be positive and uplifting and go straight from you to Creation’s ear.
I would love to hear what you think is your most important or special resolution for 2007, so I hope you’ll share. After that, let’s get the party started!
~ Catherine
Happy New Year, Catherine!
This is a resolution-free New Year for me. However, my goal is to spend less time on the computer.
All the best to you and I hope you fulfill all your resolutions.
Comment by Melissa — December 31, 2006 @ 11:42 am
Mine has to be get organized
Its the thing I most need to do that and purge because my house is totally overrun with STUFF
Happy New Year
Comment by Liz Denler — December 31, 2006 @ 3:34 pm
Awww, man! That’s a great list. Really, a fantastic list! Thank goodness it’s not too late to change mine!
Comment by spyscribbler — December 31, 2006 @ 10:37 pm
I try not to make my New Y ear resolutions too hard–I never fulfill them! This year, I just plain want to have a better year…and to be more socialable. I tend to live in my little hole, but it’s time to climb out of it. I’m becoming pathetic! Happy New Year to all!
Comment by Alyssa Brooks — January 1, 2007 @ 9:49 pm
Excellent list, Catherine!
My resolution/goal list looks similar.
Here’s to a great 2007!
Comment by Julia Templeton — January 2, 2007 @ 11:57 am