Let 2010 be. It is done. I do not want to hear how bad of a year it was. There are only two people I know who can get away with that excuse, the rest of you no. No. You mustn't put that upon a year.
The last of the wine glasses, serving dishes & decanters have been washed with hot soapy water and tucked away in cupboards, much like the din of yesteryear-noise from the karaoke machine, people yelling "Happy New Year!" and dancing in the living room on makeshift dance floors. It has all been carefully put away until the next coming of a New Year.
As I washed and folded the old year to make way for the new, I found myself thinking about the lackluster event that New Year's is. And how cliched it is to hear the same old things about the old year that we always hear. Isn't this New Year soon destined to be the old? And can we continue to blame the problems of our daily lives on a calendar year? Why not shift to seasons instead? A good winter, a bad winter. This I can take. But heavy is the head of the year coming into focus, the year crowned 2011. This year is like a newly elected President taking over for a shoddy one having done two consecutive terms in office. The expectations are rather high.
To sum up the New Year:
We place high expectations on it. (On ourselves.)
We exclaim "This will be a great year!" (We will be great.)
We make resolutions. (We can change.)
We kick the old year to the curb. (We must have failed somehow.)
I propose we be the New Year. Be the change. Love ourselves & also those who don't know any better. Forgive, because sometimes they only know half the story. Forget, because sometimes they only see what they want to see. Lead by example because sometimes, they let fear rule their lives. (Give them a break, they need your understanding.) Finally let go of the ones who are no good for you. (Trust your instincts.) I've always lived by this rule. There are some people who thrive on bringing you down. Don't let them. Cut them loose.
So to make 2011 your best year may I humbly suggest:
*Point no fingers.
*To your own self be true.
*Take precious time for yourself.
*Talk on the phone or meet face-to-face. In-person time is best.
*Be courageous. Confront a wrong. Put it right.
*Bake more!
*Think before you spend.
*Get adequate sleep. Listen to your body and do not fight it. 8 hours would be perfect for you.
*Sing everyday, at the top of your lungs. It is great exercise, and vents a lot of stress.
*If you buy something new, something old must be donated or thrown out. Do not accumulate.
*Laugh everyday.
*Do the right thing, no matter what 'everyone else' is doing. Even if it makes you unpopular.
*Vow to be better.
*Be more loving.
*BE the change and BE the best New Year you can be, for you and everyone you know.
xoxo
Thanks, Gillian!
Words worth living by. I especially like getting rid of something when you buy something new. I want to get rid of two things for every one I buy. I am sorting now and have set up a staging area to sort and clean and be rid of. The lighter the load, the easier to think and function.
Happy New Year!
Marilyn
Posted by: Marilyn | January 02, 2011 at 12:36 AM
A definitive guide to the new year...
:)
I love this post.
I suspect that those who lost their fight with cancer could say, if they were here, that 2010 was a bad year. But they are not here to say it. So I would say for a Grandfather, Grandmother, Aunt {beloved friend} and Uncle, 2010 was rotten. But for me just really hard and sad...
2011 will be lived differently though...Embracing some of the points you've touched on above...
Happy New Year Gillian.
xo
Andrea
Posted by: CrowNology | January 02, 2011 at 01:50 AM
a great set to work with
:o)
T
Posted by: tony | January 02, 2011 at 03:19 AM
you are brilliant. madly, stunningly brilliant! every word rings true. i will meet you, face-to-face, in whatever good season you wish.
love and happy winter,
graciel
Posted by: Graciel @ Evenstar Art | January 02, 2011 at 09:52 AM
2010 saw the loss of some young people around here. Not immediate family to me, but friends. So in that respect it had been a very difficult year, and those two mothers I pointed out (in my world, perhaps in many worlds too) I put in the exception.
But that now becomes a benchmark of sorts, doesn't it? How can we complain?
We can't.
xoxo
Posted by: gillian | January 02, 2011 at 09:58 AM
My resolutions this year include seeing you again, and taking credit for the good things/ideas/outcomes in my life instead of just the things that didn't work out so well. You are such an inspiration to me.
Posted by: Donna | January 02, 2011 at 01:36 PM
Happy New Year, Gillian! You've written a good post with a good list for the New Year.
Before dropping by your blog tonight, I was sitting on a chair thinking of what I want to do in this New Year and you're right, for me, last year was a good year with all the usual ups and downs. And thankfully, there weren't terrible downs.
What seems to resonating with me these days is that I want this upcoming year to be about finishing the projects that I've already started, to use the supplies that I already have, to say no to projects that in my heart, I don't really want to do (and to not feel guilty in saying no). Does that sound negative? I'm thinking of it as a time for breathing in and finding my center again.
I DO want to meet you in person in 2011. A trip to TO will happen. Hopefully we can meet then. I'd like that.
Posted by: susanna | January 02, 2011 at 08:47 PM
Amen, my friend. Amen! xoxox
Posted by: Tara Bradford | January 03, 2011 at 07:13 AM