A Happy New Year–Redefined!

A Happy New Year–Redefined!

Hard to believe that it’s well into the first few weeks of the new year; hopefully it’s a happy one for everyone so far!  I decided to go in search of a more clever way to introduce a few thoughts and wishes for a Happy New Year, without making it feel too cumbersome with a lengthy list of lofty goals or typical outlines for a life changing overhaul!  Quite honestly, New Year’s resolutions make me feel a little bit grumpy.  I realize that says a lot more about my character than it does about this age old tradition.  Anyway, in an attempt to switch things up a bit, I decided to look up synonyms for each of the individual words that make up this familiar “Auld Lang Syne” message!  (I now have considerably more empathy for the seemingly daunting task of greeting card writers!)

      Here are my findings: 

In reviewing these definitions, I’d now like to wish you a “pleasurable, confident, satisfying, and fresh twelve months!”  Perhaps like me, you’ll want to revamp your New Year’s greeting and even set out to redefine the year ahead for yourself!

A Happy New Year Comes From Using Good Judgment!

I don’t necessarily recall that my parents were of the mindset of being committed to making New Year’s resolutions.  I mostly remember that they usually taught from the school of thought that life ought to be lived so that the general trend was that you tried to improve upon each day–making the next day better than the day before.  My dad was always good to apply this philosophy in his life.  His personal history reflects this train of thought quite often.

“…Merle and I try each day to use good judgment in all areas of our living.  This includes good food, exercise, rest and the other things which add up to wholesome and balanced lives.”

I get a kick out of the fact that my parents got a jump on the fitness craze and set up a treadmill and stationary exercise bike in their sun room long before it was customary to have them in most homes, like many do now.  They also enjoyed hot cereal for breakfast a few times each week.  “Mush” is something I’m still not too fond of to this day!  New Year’s resolutions aside, my dad was a big proponent of moderation in all things!   In keeping with his lifestyle habits, my dad usually encouraged seeking out a variety of experiences; the end goal being no more complicated than realizing that this usually provided the best opportunities to develop a well rounded personality.

Both my dad and mom had many interests, and when I was growing up, I observed how they cultivated them by being active participants in our neighborhood and community.  They enjoyed associations with a broad range of endearing friends and acquaintances as a result.  My parents tried to instill in me the ability to recognize and appreciate the many opportunities that were available to me, and if feasible, I should jump at the chance to enjoy them.  More importantly though, my dad and mom just wanted me to be aware of the fact that I was fortunate to have so many wonderful choices accessible to me.  Even now, when I take advantage of interesting and unique experiences, I’m able to grow and expand my horizons, so to speak!

What I’m learning now is…

When I tend my cute granddaughter, Makena, we often spend our days together either playing house and dress-ups, reading story books in a makeshift couch tent, or cutting and gluing odds and ends from my sewing kit to make cards for her dad and mom.  When it’s time for her to go home, Makena often hugs me good-bye and says, “This was the best day ever!”  What I’m learning now is that the years really do go by much faster than you ever imagine they will when you’re deep in the trenches of young parenthood!  I can hear the the resounding sighs and visualize the collective eye rolls of those of you who are thinking, “Oh no, here we go again, someone else reminiscing about days gone by!”  (Believe me, I felt the same way when I was younger.)  With this in mind, perhaps an ongoing aspiration for all of us would be to always try to truly enjoy the experiences we have each day that help us live our lives to the fullest–however we choose to define that!  To be sure, life will always be a balancing act; thank goodness we have a lifetime to work at it!!

How would you like to define the new year?  What are some of the things you’d like to do in the next 365 days minus a couple of weeks? 

When country singer, Brad Paisley, was asked in this month’s Reader’s Digest to finish the sentence, “Tomorrow is…” He answered, “…the first blank page of a 365-page book.  Write a good one.”  I say we do our best to really enjoy this year and make a great story collection!

 –Mary