So, another year has gone by and it's now gut check time to see how I've done on my 2013 resolutions.
1) Lose weight, eat healthier and take better care of myself. Well I did really well up until July or so and it's been downhill since then.
2) Clean out my storage room of 'stuff' that has been put there for a short time when I bought the house EIGHT YEARS AGO. I did make a small path in there only to add more 'stuff'. So much for that resolution.
Okay, I can't even continue as those first two were just a start and I'm already depressed.
In the last few weeks that my Mom was with us, she asked my five sisters and me to "take care of Dad". In the last few weeks that my Dad was with us, we had many hand-holding conversations about my happiness. I promised him that I was indeed happy (more so to keep him content) and he would always say "that's all I ask." Now that he is gone, it's time I keep my end of the bargain. I have realized that other people can indeed add to my happiness but only I can ensure my happiness by the choices I make and implement into my life.
Recently, I have had some close people in my life question why I am still grieving for my parents. "Why can't you celebrate their great life and the love and memories you shared with them?" My answer has always been that I don't know how. I only know that I ache every day for them and I don't yet understand how to 'celebrate their lives.' I also realize that none of these people are in my place yet in their lives, so when that time comes, maybe they will see things differently.
With that said, I will try to search for a more 'settled' understanding of mortality in 2014 and embrace the blessed time I did have with them.
My friend Karie posted this on Facebook, so I thought I would try to implement some of this into my life in 2014. Enjoy!
How much stress are you carrying around? By Shannon Kaiser
Do you feel burdened by life's circumstances and emotional issues? Becoming more grounded and happy starts with letting go of worry and stress. I learned this in my own journey, through overcoming drug addictions, healing myself from depression, and walking away from a career in corporate to follow my heart and be a successful writer and life coach. In the process, I had to let go of a lot of things to become the person I am today.
Physically, spiritually and emotionally, I had to learn how to let go of the person I thought I should be in order to be the person I really wanted to be. Letting go of anything in life can be a little scary, but it can also be an amazing act of self-love.
Letting go of my worries and stress made a difference for me; of course I still dip in and out of some of my stress jar from time to time, but I've found this list a good reminder of what I need to strive for each day in order to reach unlimited happiness.
Here are 20 things to let go of in order to reach unlimited happiness.
1. Let go of all thoughts that don't make you feel empowered and strong.
2. Let go of feeling guilty for doing what you truly want to do.
3. Let go of the fear of the unknown; take one small step and watch the path reveal itself.
4. Let go of regrets; at one point in your life, that "whatever" was exactly what you wanted.
5. Let go of worrying; worrying is like praying for what you don't want.
6. Let go of blaming anyone for anything; be accountable for your own life. If you don't like something, you have two choices, accept it or change it.
7. Let go of thinking you are damaged; you matter, and the world needs you just as you are.
8. Let go of thinking your dreams are not important; always follow your heart.
9. Let go of being the "go-to person" for everyone, all the time; stop blowing yourself off and take care of yourself first because you matter.
10. Let go of thinking everyone else is happier, more successful or better off than you. You are right where you need to be. Your journey is unfolding perfectly for you.
11. Let go of thinking there's a right and wrong way to do things or to see the world. Enjoy the contrast and celebrate the diversity and richness of life.
12. Let go of cheating on your future with your past. It's time to move on and tell a new story.
13. Let go of thinking you are not where you should be. You are right where you need to be to get to where you want to go, so start asking yourself where you want to go.
14. Let go of anger toward ex lovers and family. We all deserve happiness and love; just because it is over doesn't mean the love was wrong.
15. Let go of the need to do more and be more; for today, you've done the best you can, and that's enough.
16. Let go of thinking you have to know how to make it happen; we learn the way on the way.
17. Let go of your money woes - make a plan to pay off debt and focus on your abundance.
18. Let go of trying to save or change people. Everyone has her own path, and the best thing you can do is work on yourself and stop focusing on others.
19. Let go of trying to fit in and be accepted by everyone. Your uniqueness is what makes you outstanding.
20. Let go of self-hate. You are not the shape of your body or the number on the scale. Who you are matters, and the world needs you as you are. Celebrate you!
Pet Peeve of the Week: Drivers and passengers in vehicles that have their seats reclined like they are at home in front of the TV. Seriously kids? You do not look cool and you are putting yourselves and others at risk. John can only hope that he is still practicing when these kids are suffering in their 40s from the poor posture they displayed in their late teens and 20s.
That's just me.let me know what you think!
