A NEW YEAR...A NEW ADVENTURE...

"Don't think about what can happen in a month.  Don't think about what can happen in a year, just focus on the 24 hours in front of you and do what you can to get closer to where you want to be."         ~Eric Thomas~

A few weeks ago I almost went into a meltdown over my birthday this year, wondering, what now?  At first blush the thought of turning 70 made me feel really old and I couldn't figure out why...I don't feel any different than last year. 

After thinking about it for awhile I realized it was just the number I had been conditioned to believe is the beginning of the end and now that I have turned 70 I should spend my days in a rocking chair and 'act my age'.   

News flash... "Don't just do something, sit there"...has never suited me.

I know although I have slowed down and the years have taken their toll I have a lot of years left, if my family history is any indication.  I also know I still have many things left I want to do with my life. 

But age has also taught me that there are no guarantees...so this year I intend to begin the practice of MINDFULNESS...to stop worrying about the future and just enjoy each day...to be here...to be now...to be enough.  

AT THE END OF THE DAY... I know it probably won't be that easy but I'll learn...that's why they call it 'practice' isn't it? 

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS

I remember when getting ready for Christmas was a month long stressful exercise in decorating, shopping, cooking and baking.   Wrapping gifts was an all night affair on Christmas eve along with putting together countless 'Santa' gifts...hoping all the parts were there...to put under the tree unwrapped...and of course the hangover Christmas morning from not enough sleep and too much 'eggnog' while trying to meet Santa's deadline.

These days someone else does most of the baking, there are fewer gifts to wrap and the Santa gifts are someone else's responsibility...and we gave up hangovers years ago...so I'm finished much sooner now and I can spend the days before and during Christmas with less stress.  

This year the last Christmas tradition is being passed on.  We change and grow...and now that I have grown older I know it's time to pass the rest of the responsibilities on to someone else.  This year I can spend Christmas eve with the family having a nice dinner I don't have to cook and watching "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" the cartoon version (another tradition) at my granddaughter's house.  I am happy to pass this last tradition on because...   

AT THE END OF THE DAY...I can just sit back and enjoy...and of course take lots of pictures...because some things never change...

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

My Christmas shopping is finished, except for those last minute impulse buys, of course.

When my children were small I loved to Christmas shop.  Now not so much.  The shopping season didn't start till the day after thanksgiving so it really was something to look forward to every year.

People didn't push and shove and clerks were polite and helpful...all gone.

Now I do as much of my shopping as possible local, the rest i do on line.  Easier on the mind and body.

If you're not finished yet and don't want to fight the crowds let me invite you to shop for that special gift someplace friendly and fun...my studio...

AT THE END OF THE DAY...it's the perfect solution...