This year, it will be different.
I'm being stubborn and I'm going against the grain for my New Year. It all started right before Christmas when I went to my granddaughter's dance class. Seeing those tiny little feet tap the floor with their shiny tap shoes, it triggered a childhood memory: I always wanted to take tap lessons. Marcella was getting a violin for Christmas and that reminded me too, that I always wanted to learn how to play myself. Looking back, I now understand that my parents had limited funds as I was growing up with two other sisters and Mom being a stay-at-home mom. It may not even have been a financial issue, whereas a time factor as well. There are many things I can now understand what my mom went through as a stay-at-home mom now that I am one, too. I decided I wasn't going to just live vicariously through my children. I'm going to take the plunge and go for it, for myself.
My Wish List
A long long long time ago, I created a Bucket List. I'm not even sure where it is, it's been so long ago. I know it's in one of my hundreds of journals so it would take me a while to locate it. But I do remember that many of the things on my list wasn't significant, or maybe they were. I remember wanting to go on a hot air balloon ride... Hope a butterfly would land on me. That's all I remember. So I decided I was going to create a new list. And honestly, I don't like the term "Bucket List". Seems so final, like I'm dying. I'm going to create a Wish List for 2014. I'm going to make a scrapbook of my wishes and then leave room for each wish to add photos and notes of when I do accomplish (or attempt) each wish. I'm going to put severe thought into each wish. They will not be frivolous and careless. There will probably be a reason why I choose each wish. I'm also not going to pressure myself in making sure each wish is accomplished in 2014. Finances are always tight for us and most of my wishes will end up costing something, but that's okay.
So starting tomorrow for the New Year, I will not eat sauerkraut and pork. I hope that will jinx me into something good, something different.
Simplicity & Happyness
One thing that I will go for is simplicity and happyness in my life. Yes, "happy-ness". My goal is to strive to say "no" more often. Boy, this is a hard one for me. When my husband came home and surprised me with a brand new computer, oh it was hard for me to say "no". We didn't NEED a new computer (well, that's a fine line. We were borrowing an old laptop dangerously out of memory) and we certainly didn't NEED another bill, but my eyes lit up when I saw that the monitor was more than double in size, new programs and yes, MORE SPEED and memory. I'm going to have to work really hard on this one.
Does simplicity and happyness go hand in hand? Simplifying life, my possessions and material "things" I've collected over the years really make me happy? I think that's a big debate for lots of people. Needs and wants are very different... or are they? Do I really NEED that box full of I-don't-remember-what's-inside sitting in the closet for the past 12 years? Do I really NEED to keep my stuffed animals from my childhood that my own children don't care to love like I did? Did we really NEED a new kitchen table? (that was a big debate between my husband and me, but I still didn't say NO, either). Needs and wants are very similar, if you ask me. Sometimes what you want is something you need and sometimes something you need, you just plain want. It's like creating a Christmas list. I was always told to write a list of things I WANT, but what I want is something I NEED, like a wooden spoon or underwear.
So, for the upcoming New Year, I vow to create simplicity and adventure in my life. I will work on saying "no", clear out material things I've collected over the years that I really don't need and make room in my house and my soul. I refuse to become that "boring stay-at-home mom" that is always satisfied to stay home in my pajamas all day. yeah.... I love those days! I will create a wish list to better myself, learn something new, strive to live as my own person, not just my daughters' mom or my husband's wife, but me. I will smile more, be silly more and dig deeper in my soul to find that hidden energy I've been wondering where it's been these past few months. It's time to dig out that old scrapbook hiding in my closet that I haven't used yet. Stay tuned and journey with me through my Adventure in 2014!
Most awesome Jill!
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