New Year’s Rembrances for 2008

Once upon a time, I created New Year's resolutions just like everyone else.  My list looked just like yours, I imagine (or your spouse's, your neighbor's, your local grocery store clerk's, etc): eat better, write more, ignore the leftover Halloween candy permanently, find a really great guy (Check!), get married, have a children (triple check!), win the lottery….oh wait, we're back to New Year's resolutions, not aimless dreams I don't have a chance of achieving (because you really do have to buy lottery tickets to win. Isn't that silly?).

New Year's seems to be the time to take stock in your life and yes, focus on all the things you did wrong or wish to fix.  Making goals is a wonderful thing, but it can also make you forget to appreciate yourself and all the good that has occurred in your life.  (And there is always SOME good, no matter how much bad.) 

So a few years ago, I stopped making my New Year's Resolution List of All That Was Wrong With Me And Needed Fixing. Instead, I looked backward.  I gave myself permission to smile, enjoy and remember all the things that had occurred – whether they be happy moments that made my smile, sad ones that made my cry, or just lessons learned along the way.  The year happened.  And I felt it important to give it the due time it deserved.

2008 was wonderful for me in a lot of ways – the most obvious being my offer for a contract for my first book.  A moment I continue to celebrate and one that will spill into 2009 as that book hits the  shelves. It is a dream come true, one I've nurtured since I was a small child.  In addition to that, I attended my first writer's conference.  I met a lot of wonderful people, I've made some great friends.   My work as a designer has blossomed in many ways.  And my family is safe, with a warm roof over our heads and food to eat.  My two year old son has taken so many milestones, and I've been blessed and lucky enough to watch them all.  My brother has come home to live, after ten years of being hours away.   

Lessons I learned:  Celebrate my successes, and I never take them for granted.  I'm thankful for every single person in my life, from my family to the blogmates who post here with me.  Without ALL of them in my life,  my life would be very different.  

For the next two weeks, the folks on this blog may or may not post – it's completely up to them.  However, this will be my last until after the New Year.    And I want to leave you with warm wishes for a wonderful 2009, and thank you for being a part of my life. 

~ Jeannie Ruesch