New Year's Eve 2009

The Toe of the Stocking for 2010

"Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don't wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it's at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored."
Earl Nightingale 1921-1989, Radio Announcer

Well that's as good a resolution as any for 2010, isn't it?

Now if I want to beef  it up with some of the outrageous anti-resolutions recommended by Rob Breszny, what would I decide to do?

My mind doesn't work that way, I am afraid.  I have a daughter who could come up with a half dozen suggestions within minutes, but my style is to let life happen ... to say yes to adventures.  Lately I have been saying no ... so perhaps that will be #1.

Looking back over the past three years, all years of house building and meager money, I realize that I have allowed myself very few treats. (The house this year consumed 2/3 of my real income (including all those extra bits I've managed to make) and income taxes ate up over 1/3, so this year was obviously not a solvent one ... 2007 and 2008 were not either ... but then I used savings which ended up putting me in a worse situation financially because of the taxes.)  When I indulged in the massage the other day I accrued unexpected benefits that went well beyond the hour or so I spent in that dimly lit room.  I have been sleeping again ... and I walked twice as far yesterday as I have recently.  I feel better.  So #2 is going to be about indulging myself in something decadent that will have far reaching therapeutic effects.

Thinking of the things that have made me happy since I moved here, I would also have to include activities that consume me like writing and painting funky furniture ... art of some kind ...  and animals ... and the occasional teaching job.

So ... My List for the Toe of My Stocking

1.    Start saying yes again.
2.    Make a determined effort to pamper myself with one wonderful experience every month or so  ... a massage ... a special lunch at one of Wakefield's excellent restaurants where the chef is a gourmet cook ... a trip.
3.    Keep on painting and writing ... and make sure I keep growing by attending something like the Blue Heron workshop and taking some art courses locally.
4.    Continue to enjoy what this lake offers me ... peace ... solitude ... community.
5.    Pepper my life with enjoyable ways to make money ... dog sitting ... language teaching ... maybe make those bits of money my pampering money now that the major expenditures for the house are over ... or at least the ones that are essential, not choices. This past year I made $2500 by looking after animals, teaching and selling my funky creations.  If I made half as much this year I would have $100 per month to play with.

Happy New Year Everyone.