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An Old Year, A New Year, A Resolution

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“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language and next year’s words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning.”
T. S. Eliot

New Years resolutions; New Year; 2012; better life; unique; Spicie Foodie; life guide; get things done; dreams; musings; food blogger
New Years resolutions can sound almost cliché. The most popular resolution probably being to lose weight or start exercising. (That includes me too.) Many people will be buying gym memberships or countless and useless exercise equipment. Sadly many of those people will not follow through with their resolutions. I wonder how much money is actually wasted on all of that? Instead I’d like to propose that  money be sent to me :) Wishful thinking I know.

“Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.”
Hal Borland

As a year comes to a close many of us reflect back on the years happenings. Perhaps you ask yourself what was good and what was bad in this closing year. Life hands us many ups and downs. We all face those moments the best we can. After the bad settles you dust yourself off,  stronger than before and ready to keep moving forward. The good moments are easy to handle. But because they are easy we mustn’t forget to cherish them. Rather we should use those happy memories to get us through the bad times.

“All that we are is the result of what we have thought.”
Buddha

Emotionally 2011 was one of the hardest years of my life. My heart was bruised in a couple new places. But I am also very lucky because it was healed in a very important place. Sometimes I worry about what could come with the new year. I have a few more grey hairs. (Did I just admit to the world that this 32 year old has grey hair? I hope they don’t remember that.) I’ve learned a little more about myself and a little more about life. I learned that the older I get the more I realize that I know so little about life.

“Fear less, hope more; Eat less, chew more; Whine less, breathe more; Talk less, say more; Love more, and all good things will be yours”
 Swedish Proverb

Whether it is you or I reflecting back on the hard times the closing year brought or what lies ahead of us, it is important to let the happy memories push through the unhappy ones. The best thing we can all do is to focus on all the good we have. I count myself lucky. Positive thinking is not only more productive but also a way of healing and moving forward. Let’s refuse to be defeated by things out of our control.

“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.”
Zig Ziglar

I want 2011 to end and 2012 to start off in the best way possible for us all. That means you who are reading this too. I started thinking how can I accomplish this? How can I keep motivated and not loose sight of what I want? Could I inspire others to follow their hearts? Can I remember that there are things we can’t change but that there are so many we can?

“The first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: Decide what you want.”
 Ben Stein

I came up with a guide for 2012. Not a plan because well, we all know things don’t usually happen as planned. I want 2012 to be a year when I accomplish more than I did in 2011. Wouldn’t you also want that? It is decided, 2012 will be a year to dream big. To take big chances and to keep motivated. Won’t you join me?

“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”
T. S. Elliot

This is what my 2012 guide entails. To accomplish at least one thing for each of the following. It isn’t a long list. The point is to keep motivated and to actually accomplish those things. Perhaps there are other things you would also add to your list, so add them. But remember keep it simple and attainable, don’t overwhelm yourself. I’ve printed out my list and it is pasted beside me so I can see it every day and be reminded of my goals. No excuses.

– In 2012 I will do something for my brain: _____________________________
(Learn a new skill,read a book that gives you knowledge, something that stimulates your brain.)

– In 2012 I will do something for my heart : _____________________________
(Like find love, find new friendships, mend a broken relationship. Do something that brings great emotional joy and warmth to your heart.)

– In 2012 I will do something for someone else: _____________________________
(Put someone, or a few, ahead of you. It can be something as little as a visit that brings joy to that person to a gift they’ve always wanted. It doesn’t matter just make someone else happy.)

– In 2012 I will do something I am afraid of doing : _____________________________
(We all have something, take a leap and finally do it. )

– In 2012 I will do something I’ve always wanted to do: _____________________________
(Something from your bucket list perhaps? Or it could be to learn a new skill, anything you’ve wanted to do.)

– In 2012 I will complete something I have started and not yet finished: _____________________________
(We are all guilty of letting the unfinished projects stack up. Clear that pipeline and get to it :))

– In 2012 I will remember to enjoy life, my family, and not get distracted by other things.: ________________

 

I think it would be great if we all saved our 2012 guides and at the end of 2012 could reflect on the guide. Perhaps even share with each other what it is that those lines were filled in with?

 

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that 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’ve created a page with these 2012 guidelines. If you are interested in printing it out it is here:https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B1GyfNqR104CMzYwNzNkMWItYTc3ZS00NzU1LThmN2ItYjdiZDEyN2E2NGRj
My 2012 Guide; Spicie Foodie; New Years resolutions; inspirational quotes; motivational quotes

A blank one is here for you to fill in your own goals:https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B1GyfNqR104CMmQ3NjZmMTktODZiZS00MjAwLTllNmItYjg0YTkzYjYzMDcz
My 2012 Guide; Spicie Foodie; New Years resolutions; inspirational quotes; motivational quotes

Have a fantabulous New Years celebration. Have fun, be safe, and cherish every moment of it. May 2012 bring us all the very best. May 2012 be the year when you realize a few of your dreams. May 2012 bring you good health, happiness and endless love. My biggest, warmest and most sincere well wishes for you all. Raise those glasses and lets toast to the very best 2012!

My 2012 Guide; Spicie Foodie; New Years resolutions; inspirational quotes; motivational quotes

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Comments

  1. What a brilliant, inspiring post. Love your list – and agree totally that we should be thinking positively and enriching our lives. Cheers to you for an even healthier, loving, inspiring 2012, full of wonderful adventures!

  2. Love those questions Nancy. Surely a fun way to keep us abreast of all the things we wanna do and change in coming new year.

    I hope 2012 brings you and your family lots of joy, happiness and immense love which will eventually lead to happy happy memories.

    Cheers,
    Siri

  5. Don’t you worry – I had my first grey hair at 15 and at 27 am 35% gray. My mom was snow-white by 30, so I figure I’m doing okay ;)
    I hope your heart heals, and I love your positive attitude <3

  6. What an amazing post, Nancy! You’ve put so much work and thought into writing this and I especially appreciate that 2012 Guide outline. Unfortunately, I’m not making any new year’s resolutions because I’m perfect as I am…LOL.

    Thank you also for being such a wonderful and supportive friend and always being ‘there’ when I need you. You’ve definitely made my blogging experience shinier and more fun in 2011 and I hope this continues in the year(s) ahead!

    All the best wishes and hugs for 2012,
    Maya

    PS. Don’t think I didn’t notice that agar agar book :).

    • Thank you sweetie, I know you are perfect so these kind of things come naturally to you ;) hehe

      Maya, I hope you know I feel exactly the same way about you. It has meant so much to me knowing I can count on a great friend and person. Most definitely having met you was one of the best things of 2011.

      My very best wishes to you too, I hope 2012 will be a much better year. I am really looking forward to all of your amazingly beautiful creations. Hugs back!

      P.S. Lol, I has hoping you would. I’ve been thinking about you all week and I guess this was my way of telling you:) Thanks again for my book, such a great gift.

  7. I love your list. I have been thinking about this a bit too, this year I have been almost stationary, and I want to feel like I really accomplished something in 2012!

    Thanks for the shove to think about it some more :)

  8. Beautiful inspiring post Nancy! I’ve enjoyed following you for a while now, don’t want to date my self, lol! I’m looking forward to your posts in 2012, I am sure you will surpass your goals here and it will be a pleasure to experience that with you;-)

    • Hi Patty, Thank you so much :) I know you and I go way back, but ladies don’t reveal their age ;) hehe I am really looking forward to all of your fantastic recipes and beautiful photographs. Best wishes to you and yours. Hugs!

  9. Very well put together…Love every single thing that you wrote!
    Wishing you that all your wishes come true in a New Year, and thought is very powerful that I am so sure it will be as you plan!!!
    Have a wonderful New Year sweetie!!!!!

  10. Such a fabulous post and way to view the coming year! The list is just perfect and something everyone should keep beside the…I will hang mine up today :)
    Wishing you and your family a most inspired and unforgettable 2012!
    Hugs my dear friend…

  11. LOVE this post! And I think it would be awesome to monitor our goals together! I am into resolutions… I like to reflect and I like symbolic times of the year (new years, Easter, my birthday, the solstices, etc) to reflect even more!

    P.S…. Fantabulous is one of my favorite words! Abrazo mija!!!!!! and Happy New Year!

  12. Lovely and thoughtful post and terrific assortment of quotes and ideas — all quite thought-provoking. I’ve decided that I prefer the term “New Year’s goals” to “New Year’s resolutions” because it just sounds more concrete to me for some reason. I hope you accomplish everything you want in 2012!

  14. Very inspiring post going into the New Year! I am glad to have stopped by and read it. I have benefited from your posts in 2011 and I am sure 2012 your posts will offer the same if not more. Kudos to you for being so organized about your resolutions for 2012.

    • Hi Laura, Thank you! I think it is great that you made that resolution. If we don’t take care of ourselves then we aren’t much use are we? Happy New Year!

  19. Truly inspiring, Nancy! Thoughtful guide, inspiring quotes and I think it’s a great idea to keep a copy to refer to as the year progresses. Wishing you a 2012 filled with good health, happiness, and personal fulfillment!

  20. I like your more positive approach – rather than saying “I won’t,” saying “I will!!” And yes, 2011 wasn’t the best – here’s to a much better 2012

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