Here's to a New Year!

2009 certainly wasn’t a bad year. Interesting. Crazy. Completely unexpected. Those might be better words. What started out as a year of same old-same old with my job and, really, with life in general, quickly was turned upside down. Through a lot of reflecting & counseling (yes, everyone should go to counseling. it’s amazing.) I had already come to the conclusion that school counseling had become something of a safety net for me and I desired to branch out to see what other opportunities were out there. Anyone reading this blog knows the story--shortly after I had reached this conclusion I was laid off. Ironic? I’m not sure. Healthy? Yes. That catapulted me into 6 months of unknown, in which I have been healthier & happier even in the face of unknown, figuring out what really is more important to me in life. All that being said, I’m not sorry to see 2009 go. It was necessary for me, even amazing in many ways; but I’m ready for what’s next. I have no idea what “next” will look like, but taking it one day at a time, and putting some goals into place, I figure I’ll find out soon enough!

New Years this year was rung in with some amazing women down in Tacoma. Who knew that Tacoma’s actually quite a cute place (at least where Abbie lives!). Sitting around the table with a delicious brunch in front of us this morning, we grasped hands and sang the Doxology (“Praise God from whom all blessings flow...”--a favorite around the Beyond table), I was struck by the beauty of the moment. Good food, good friends, great laughter & conversation. This is what I want 2010 to be all about.

I tend to bristle against resolutions, even though I’m definitely a goal-setter. I always start thinking about what I want to accomplish this time every year, so it’s not like I don’t make resolutions. I just don’t like calling them that (who knows? just a weird quirk). As always, every since Christmas, I have been looking forward to 2010, thinking about what I hope it will be like. I came across the most beautiful blog (seriously, check it out) some time ago. In line with the New Year, they had outlined 10 resolutions and I am fully upfront about stealing them as my own (likely with different meanings or ways that they will play out than were intended by whoever wrote them down) because each of them is perfect for what I desire! So, here they are...my dreams (because I don’t want to call them resolutions) for 2010, along with visuals chosen specifically for the occasion:

1. Take risks...colored tights have become one of my favorite little pleasures. They add a little extra something to an outfit (& sometimes require a bit of risk to pull off!), just like risk adds to life.

2. Have fun...really, who doesn't want to have fun? But I want to be intentional about recognizing the fun in the little things and seeking after moments of laughter.

3. Be happy...again, who doesn't want this? I'm reminding myself, though, that I get to chose my reactions and emotions, so I am to "sing outloud everyday"!

4. Make dreams a reality...enough said. As a master of lists, I have one of dreams that I aim to continue to keep checking off.

5. Write more often...letters, thoughts, journaling, etc. It's the reason I'm still keeping this silly blog. While it might not have a huge readership, it's fun just to write.

6. Tell friends they are amazing...because I have some really great ones!

7. Create more...there's nothing better than starting something from scratch and seeing a finished product!

8. Float away for a day...self-care involves getting away. Sometimes mentally, sometimes physically-I want to do both!

9. Don't let the weather get you down...here in Seattle this an important goal both realistically and metaphorically. 

10. Be more organized...while I'm thrilled to be able to use my new cute pink planner now that we've hit 2010, I think I have this one down, so this is the one resolution that I'm not stealing and am instead adding Be more spontaneous...Maybe I'll hop on a plane or set out in the car on a whim one of these days!

I look forward to figuring out how each of these will actually play out this year!