We are getting ready to say goodbye to 2022. Are you happy about it? There are only two more days left in the year, and it is a custom to think about making resolutions for a new year coming, perhaps for a new start with something, or for a stop to something, or maybe to make changes for better living in the coming months.
Have you started to think about one – or two resolutions ?
First, I think I want to look back on the year that is about to go and to give it a proper send off. In general it’s been good. Really good! I am fortunate that there were no major life changes – or a death – close to me. We all have been in relatively good health, and we are financially comfortable. Just that sentence alone is something that so many can not say. I don’t want to take that for granted.
There were lots of fun experiences throughout the past year. I was blessed to have good people around me, and even when I was alone I felt contentment. Again, I know I am lucky to be able to say that.
So, 2022, I’m not really happy to see you go. I’m not searching for a big change, or a new love, or a pot full of money. Nope. I’m good. If 2023 ends up like 2022 I will be fine.
Therefore – what kind of resolutions should I think about for the new year? What isn’t going right in my life that needs work?
One is my church connection. I have been an involved member of my church for many many years but this past year I stepped away from it. It’s not that my faith is faltering for I continue to keep it foremost in my life. I want to continue to grow in faith, to learn more with an open mind, and to rely on God’s closeness in my life. I stopped a long time ago asking God to do things for me – because instead I should be doing things in His name. Big difference. I have nothing to prove. I am thankful for God’s grace. I stopped thinking that God will be happy with me if I do the right things, because He is already happy with me, and he is forgiving to me when I mess up. That gives me a lot of peace. So, my resolution for the new year is to respond better to that. I am becoming more ecumenical due to playing music at various churches and that’s a good thing. In this new year I hope to find some ways to ‘be active’ with peaceful methods of giving. I’m just not sure how yet – or what I will do. Maybe it will be shown to me, but I need to be alert to possibilities.
I do know this coming year I will continue to prioritize my husband, my grown children and my amazing grandchildren. I want to continue to be in their lives, to enjoy them, and to help them when I can. These are precious times.
I want to use my crockpot more! I keep seeing all kinds of videos on line about easy one pot meals and I want to try some out.
I want to continue with practicing the piano. This past August I made up my mind to sit down at the piano and play it at least every other day. I have kept it up. Practice makes perfect, right? I know that playing often keeps my fingers and my brain working.
I’m all about working my brain these days… not just with piano playing, but with reading, and with my line dance classes. I’m at the age where brain activity is important. Use it or lose it! I want to also get back into crossword puzzles. Ever since we stopped getting a real newspaper delivered I have gotten away from doing them daily – and I miss it.
I will also continue to support human, social, and political issues I believe in. I think by engaging with things ‘beyond myself’ I can’t help but feel more compassion for others. And really, we ALL need to do that!!! It’s how we can learn to live in peace beside each other. I will always believe in equal rights for all, and I will support causes and politicians that are heavy on making changes for equality.
My other passion is turning our country around when it comes to the gun psyche we have here, and the false belief that guns save lives, or provide protection. They don’t people!! Gun accidents, especially by children, and irate moments, and road rage, and the mentally ill – all are deadly with guns. Mass shootings in America is an every day event – and it’s just so sad that half of our politicians worry more about getting votes to stay in office, more than keeping people alive. I have not been personally touched with a horrible gun death yet – but it could happen any day here in America. My grandsons are off to public school this year and I bet they will learn shooting drills – as kindergartners. I don’t want them to grow up in a Wild West world where everyone is ‘packing’ and a dispute is settled by gunfire.
As we turn the calendar page (or should I say our phones automatically go to 2023) these are things I hope to focus on, and issues where I will put my time and efforts.
Last resolution: Do my best to focus on positivity! Don’t let the ups and downs of daily living, of what is in the news, or what I see on social media, ruin my day.
I welcome all of these things in 2023! I look forward to where the new year leads me.
Marla’s Musings 