Hello 2019

Emily Dickinson wrote “Hope is the thing with feathers-that perches in the soul-And sings the tune without words-And never stops- at all.”

Yeah. I don’t know what the heck that means either! But it is a popular quote. You know what else is popular? New Year’s resolutions.

At the end of my last client session of 2018, my client asked me if I was making any resolutions. I thought for a few seconds and replied that no I am not. I am not, because when you are content, you don’t want a whole lot to change.

So no resolutions. But there are things I would like to see in the new year. I would like us all to become a little kinder and realize that all of us, no matter where we live, what color our skin is, which god we believe in, who we choose to love, are all just trying to find some peace, happiness, safety, empathy, and love.

I would like to see continuing great strides in medical science, but also have everyone be able to avail themselves of those great strides.

I would like Emma to pass her driver’s test, in May, so I can get her to run errands and I can stay home and read!

Speaking of reading, I hope that Fredrick Backman publishes another novel as good as A Man Called Ove, Beartown, or Us Against You.

I hope that when losses occur this year (they will, they always do) that we can focus on the positives of that person’s life and what they meant to us. Then I hope we take those positives and send them out into the world to find new lives of their own.

I hope that I can continue to explore the outdoor world.  I hope you will join me out there! Our planet is such a beautiful place! Kids! Please put the video games away sometimes and go out and see lakes and mountains and rivers and rainbows and meteor showers and eclipses and sunrises and sunsets. The X box will be there when you get back.

I often tell my clients that unknowns are the greatest cause of anxiety. That’s true, but only if you allow it. 2019 is a total unknown. My anxiety level looking at the new year is minimal. I will turn 67 this year, and I read the obituaries. So there is always that thought, deep in the back of my mind, is this the year I will die. I have little control over that, so I instead choose to live. To live and to enjoy every day and to spread love, and kindness, and good book recommendations!

I close this blogpost wishing all of my readers an amazing 2019, filled with quiet moments, good adventures, great meals. I hope, at least once, you laugh so hard that milk comes out your nose. I would have said pee your pants, but that would be embarrassing!