Are you ready? It's here!! A new start - time to take a good look at the things in our lives we want to change, make better, do differently.

Maybe this year, if each of us chose to make one solid positive change, the world would become a little bit of a better place to live.... or what if each day, we looked for one opportunity to do something nice for someone else, stranger or friend...even anonymously....what do you think that would do?

I don't know. We always think of the things that will make our lives more organized, healthier, happier - maybe also add something outside of ourselves and see what happens. I tend to think that the reward of enriching another's life would be enough to keep us going throughout the year...

Don't get me wrong...I have some lofty goals to de-clutter (much needed), simplify, and reach a new level of fitness with my mountain biking...but to serve others and look outside myself will be more beneficial to me and my circle of influence....  I would love to have you leave comments of ideas we could try to help others, or things you have done or been the recipient of. So...

                                                             HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year coming up.... During all the craziness of trying to keep up with school parties, work cookie exchanges, trying to make sure I bought all the ingredients I was going to need for Christmas day dinner and goodies....we went out riding the weekend before Christmas. Now, of course, my first instinct was, what? I can't budget that into the limited time left to make sure I have absolutely every little detail organized, as being driven by my relentless OCD right now.

But....it was beautiful. It was quiet. It was peaceful. It was just what I needed.

This season has been really sad and dark and frustrating for me. Not gonna dwell on that....it's just that the ride was a place of solace for me in all the chaos that was mostly in my mind. When you confide in someone about sadness, depression or anxiety...meaning well, they usually immediately suggest medication. I know that it is necessary sometimes, but, if you can boost your endorphins naturally, why wouldn't you? Because it's harder. It takes effort. But, the outcome and benefits far outweigh the extra work it takes. Natural therapy.

So, put your arm and leg warmers or tights on, some ear warmers and head out... it is something you will not regret....

 

 

I've been out of it for a while now. I hate how I feel during the holidays and when I shop at Walmart. :) It's a humanity thing......

Anyway, in all seriousness, I am in need of a fresh start. A clean slate in my mind. I have been in a serious funk.

My husband and I have been talking about how chaotic the world has become - crazy consumer debt, terrorism, high stress in everyone's lives, the powers that be keeping society divided against itself - angry and fighting about everything, everyone feeling entitled to whatever they want and not wanting to be productive members of society, and it goes on and on.....

I have found myself wanting to just retreat, hide from everything, and become more and more of a recluse.....the option is being very, very angry and lashing out at people in public. In turn, I have been becoming more and more depressed.

So, being completely transparent, I need to refocus. I know God wants better for me and my family. I have let myself become so distracted and disillusioned with all that is going on around me and in my head, that I have wandered far and taken no responsibility for my own journey. I love this quote in the picture above. I can complain and be sad and remorseful about how the world is right now, or I can start making a change.

I have a huge responsibility to my little boy, to be an example on how to live, cope and relate to others and the world around me. I have to show him how to love as God loves us, how to take care of this world He has entrusted us with, how to be a productive member of society and how to live his conscience and values.

And this is Christmas. Maybe not the exact date, but the season chosen to take time to stop and think about the fact that God came to us, as a man like us. I owe Him nothing less than my whole mind and life and heart. It just takes faith. But faith takes action. I am responsible for that.

I want to be good to people, give when I see a need, follow God's prompting, spread peace, take care of this earth and this body He gave me, be the best friend my husband deserves and raise my child without regrets.

so, let's see how this plays out. It has to start today.