God has given you one face, and you make yourself another. 

~William Shakespeare

 

 

It’s 4 am on a Saturday morning and something has kept me from sleeping.  Maybe it is because I have enjoyed some rare time off and have actually turned my nights and days upside down.  It’s a good thing.  I have not wanted to go to sleep for two weeks.  It’s a rare thing.

For the first time in over a year, I have been able to do what I please and enjoy that of which I please.  I’ve actually felt grateful in whole, not just in part for what has blessed me.  Why?  Because I got back to the basics of my being—pure and simple.   What are the basics of my being?  Nothing complicated or revolutionary, just the following (in no particular order):

  • Only surround yourself with good people.  They don’t have to be rich, over-the-top brilliant, flashy, the big dog in town or ANYTHING but ordinary.  They just need to be good “in the core” people.  I find that good people are anything BUT ordinary.  I strive to be ordinary, which I believe makes me (unintentionally) extra-ordinary in many ways.  And, it has.
  • Always be positive and don’t let ANYONE drag you down.  Plug your ears with cotton and sing, “la, la, la, la, la” around those who see only the negative.  If you don’t, you run the risk of becoming them.  Whenever I see the positive, things ALWAYS work out.  Never fails.  Never.
  • Everything comes back to you.  And, it does. 
  • Be yourself.  And, be able to love yourself.  That takes work and simply means putting yourself first when it comes to health, happiness—basic fundamental self-care.  If you don’t, you begin to look and feel like crap.  You know it’s true.
  • Believe. 
  • And, of course – the grass IS green everywhere.   Make the best of what you have.  If it’s not right, don’t think your grass can’t grow green somewhere else.  You decide.  Grass never trapped anyone.   It’s got holes to peer through, even when long and unruly.  It’s light and fluffy when piled on top.  And, it makes great mulch for future things to grow and prosper.

Just prior to the holidays, I pulled out my 2008 New Year’s goals as I do every couple of months.  And, it became apparent to me—for the first time in almost a decade I let many of my goals go to the wayside.  And, it cost me.  And, it cost those around me that I love.  I thought it would be the best year of my life, and in some ways—well, let’s just say it wasn’t.   But, be clear—it was me.  Not anyone else.   I just didn’t stay true.

  

Now, I don’t want to make it seem like all was lost.  Because I kept most of my “basics” in mind, I probably did more this past year than most.  So, for that, I’m grateful and thankful.   I have a happy husband and family, my home feels like home, I do work that I love, I ran/walked my first full marathon (and, raised money for Leukemia to boot), I made some new friends and I have written more (including this blog).  This list is not half bad.  It’s just not “whole good.” 

 

I’m not going to dwell on what didn’t happen or what I didn’t achieve.  But, one thing is for sure this year.  My glass is going to be more than just half full.  I’m fillin’ it up ‘til it runs over and “spillith” on the floor.  Even if it means wearing my “true list” on my sleeve.  Which, I might just do.

 

Happy 2009.  I know it. . .O for sure!