Happy New Year! During some hard times in my life, all the resolutions and new goals felt forced because I was just trying to survive a hard situation (a sick parent, a death of a parent, a diagnosis of a loved one, a tragedy, a natural disaster… you catch my drift). And then on other years, other people’s enthusiasm would make me feel inadequate (it wasn’t them, it was all me) because I was just trying to do my best every day (and frankly, it was hard). I hesitate to write this because I don’t want to sound all woe is me and ungrateful, but I’ve had my own personal issues to fight that were rooted early on in my life. All that to say, I’m sensitive to the New Year hype.
When I put together this post, I found these two pictures from my beach trip during the new year, and it reminded me that some years my beach looks dark and gloomy and some years my beach is clear and filled with sunshine. Now, looking back, there was beauty in the dark and gloomy days just like the picture. I definitely couldn’t see it while I was in it, but it was there nonetheless. I wish I could have had more faith in that time to see the beauty in it, but maybe that will be the beauty of the next trial. For now, I’m grateful for the hours of counseling and quiet time that got me to the place I am now. I had to lean in, as they say, and now I see there was beauty in it, which is why I am super excited to start this new year with a fresh perspective. I’m grateful for all that I’ve learned, and I’m excited for what is ahead!
Over the break I soaked up the beauty that’s in the everyday moments, like reading, sleep stalking and puzzling…
I read some really great books over the break! If you want an inspiring read, I highly recommend reading Chip and Joanna Gaines’ books. I wasn’t expecting to be as moved as I was by The Magnolia Story. In fact, it moved and encouraged me so much that I immediately read Chip’s book, Capital Gaines. He has a whole chapter on fear, and it made me want to read it every day and adopt his attitude about fear and life! You guys gotta read it.
I also finished reading Sister’s First (Jenna and Barbara Bush’s book). I’m not sure why, but I didn’t have high expectations for this book. I hate that I thought that, but I’m being honest. I loved reading about a normal family in the spotlight. They have a really admirable family (really great values), and somehow, as busy as their dad was, he made them feel like a priority. It was neat to read about how he did that.
I started reading Brendon Burchard’s High Performance Habits. This is definitely a typical New Year’s read. Ha! But I have to say, it’s got me dreaming again. It’s good to dream.
Sleep stalking never gets old. I love it. I should do it more. My boys are 7 and 8, but they look like babies when they’re sleeping! Will I do this when they’re teenagers?
What did you do on New Year’s? This is what we did because we are cool and not old. Yup, that’s right. Repeat after me, people who do puzzles are cool and young.
Happy New Year’s gals! Stay tuned for some for my new favorite look I can’t stop wearing! If you don’t want to miss it, subscribe below!
