Happy New Year

Hi again
Sitting here today, relishing my extra day off. It is a beautiful clear sunny day and 72 degrees. It feels like a sunday. I like sundays.

Got a phone call today from my father in law. Told me something I all ready suspected. My sister in law is pregnant. Again. That will make their 5th child in 6 years. I used to feel...kinda defective because I cant have kids. I would get really weepy and depressed. Holiday family gatherings sucked, I would always get that sympathetic look from relatives "oh, it will be your turn next" and bullshit like that. Well, after finding out about niece or nephew #8, I am not weepy. Or depressed. Or sad. I have my serenity. I have my warm sunbeam that hits my chair, I have my loving husband and my health. I am happy and content. Sure, there are things I would like to do, but my happiness doesnt depend on them.

All this has me thinking about the dreaded New Years Resolution. I dont like them. I think that people often make resolutions that are idealistic rather than realistic. Kinda sets a person up for an inevitable fall. I dont go for that. You know me, I read a lot from a lot of sources. So, I was reading the January 1st edition of the Arizona Daily Star. Dear Abby (yeah I know, "OMG, Dear Abby, SERIOUSLY?!? but come on, bear with me) had something that really spoke to me and I wanted to share it with you.

She calls it Words to live by in a new year
DEAR READERS: Welcome to a brand-new year. I'm printing Dear Abby's list of New Year's resolutions-adapted by my mother from the original credo of Al-Anon.
JUST FOR TODAY, I will live through this day only. I will not brood about yesterday or obsess about tomorrow. I will not set far-reaching goals or try to overcome all of my problems at once. I know that I can do something for 24 hours that would overwhelm me if I had to keep it up for a lifetime.
JUST FOR TODAY, I will be happy. I will not dwell on thoughts that depress me. If my mind fills with clouds, I will chase them away and fill it with sunshine.
JUST FOR TODAY, I will accept what is. I will face reality. I will correct those things that I can correct and accept those I cannot.
JUST FOR TODAY, I will improve my mind. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration. I will not be a mental loafer.
JUST FOR TODAY, I will make a conscious effort to be agreeable. I will be kind and courteous to those who cross my path, and I'll not speak ill of others. I'll improve my appearance, speak softly and not interrupt when someone else is talking. Just for today, I'll refrain from improving anybody but myself.
JUST FOR TODAY, I will do something positive to improve my health. If I'm a smoker, I'll quit. If I'm overweight, I'll eat healthy
-if only just for today.

You dont have to be a member of Al-Anon for this to have meaning. It is the ol' one day at a time, but it is very true. Make a change today. Tomorrow is another day. If you mess up today, so what. Fall down seven times, get up eight.

It is my sincerest wish that you all have a beautiful, peaceful and fulfilling year.
My next posting, I will tell you a story. The story of how I met my husband. It is a good story, I promise ;)
Peace be with you all
C