Happy New Year

At the start of a new calendar year, a lot of people start talking about change.  Exercise more, eat less.  Spend more time with family, work less.  Save more, spend less.  Cook more, eat out less.  Look on the bright side more often, eliminate cynical leanings.  It makes me think of the first time I heard the phrase "life lessons."  It came from the mouth of a manager above my manager, and if I'm recalling correctly it was in reference to the proverbial golden rule - treat others as you yourself would like to be treated.  She said something along the lines of "it's one of those life lessons, isn't it?  We know it, but we actually have to practice it."  How true of two-way kindness, self-care, finding the time for the most important people in our lives, living within our means and so on.

This is often the time of year when folks make resolutions to make those changes, right?  That list of things we want to acquire or become.  That list of idealized desires and goals.  This isn't something I've ever really practiced.  Instead, I choose to make two mental lists sometime between New Year's Eve and New Year's Day: what I like about myself and what I'm grateful for in my life.  As I've read in many Oprah magazine articles and self-help type books, gratitude is believed to be the true path to joy.  Perhaps you've kept a gratitude journal or simply count your blessings on a regular basis.  Many may believe it's a bunch of hokum, but perhaps joy is truly found in recognizing and appreciating the good in our lives, no matter how large or small.  

Some days, being grateful for my cat cuddling and purring on my lap brings me delight.  Experiencing a sunny day when I'm off work and have time to appreciate how the light filters to the forest floor brings gladness.  A good meal.  A conversation with an old friend.  A nice customer.  A belly laugh or even a quick giggle.  Jubilation isn't far away if we make the effort to simply see it and value it.  

With that, I've thought of a word that I plan to work into my existence during 2015.  

That word is PURPOSEFUL.