2013: Be the Person You Want to Be With

“We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives… not looking for flaws, but for potential.” – Ellen Goodman

With 2013 just a few hours away, I began to think about the previous year.

I did the “room-by-room” walk through of criticism. But then I stopped myself.

I shook that negative inner voice.

As, I have so much to be grateful for in 2012.

Photo courtesy of Jenny Mason Photography.

The giggles and snuggles. The flickering fireplace and delicious home-cooked meals. The trips, games, homework and craft projects. The precious time with family and friends.

 “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.  So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”  – Mark Twain

I also picked a few more apples from my bucket list. One of those dreams was to take up creative writing again. To use my words to paint pictures.

Most importantly, I wanted to share my experiences of the past and present – and perhaps I could make a difference in the lives of my fellow human beings.

When launching my blog in May 2012, I’ve written from my heart – really writing for myself. I know it sounds cliché – but truth within myself is all I have left at the age of 41.

Life is just too short not to live your dreams.

Since we’re wrapping up this year (like now), I thought it only appropriate to share a few of my most “popular” posts (in no particular order) here.

So for those that missed a read or two – I hope you take the time to enjoy a few of these posts:

Breaking Through

In the Light

Cowboy Hands

The Grateful Trap

Saved Again

Motherhood: Rituals of Love

Purse Break Up

An Early Christmas Gift: Open, Open, Open!

To close out the year, I leave you with a quote from another favorite blog of mine – Marc & Angel Hack Life. The couple always shares slivers of knowledge that make you think and breathe deeply into your soul:

“Even when you’re with others, you’re still with yourself. When you wake up in the morning, you’re with yourself, laying in bed at night you’re with yourself, walking down the street at noon you’re with yourself.  What kind of person do you want to walk down the street with? What kind of person do you want to wake up in the morning with? What kind of person do you want to see at the end of the day before you fall asleep? It’s your responsibility to be the person you want to be with.”

I am happy with the person I’ve become. I’ve made lots of mistakes along the way, but when I close my eyes at night I have an inner peace.

Now, please join me in a sing along to a favorite classic movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life” in … “Auld Lang Syne.”

Happy 2013. Lasso that dream. God Bless.