Happy New Year

Do you begin a new year with resolutions?  Do you declare a word that you hope will guide you through the next twelve months?  Do you suffer anxiety over what you feel didn't get accomplished the previous year?  Or do you close the chapter on December 31st after some reflection and then wake up on the 1st with renewed determination and optimism? 

Admittedly, I've done all of the above.  At times, I've tried to do all of these things and more at the beginning of a brand new year.  And sometimes I've not bothered with anything typical of what people resolve to do come January 1st.  

For 2016, my big picture goals are this: to practice gratitude, to focus more on my personal needs, and to be more present in my day-to-day life.  There are a few more tangible things like getting better at wire-wrapping beads and learning to cook a bigger variety of foods, but I'm emphasizing self-improvement on a mental wellness level this year.  

This photo of Miss Penny sort of emotes that looking within inclination I'm experiencing right now.  She looks rather Zen, no?