Happy 2014 my dears.

I am sitting here in my jammies after a morning of Caesars, and now settling down for an afternoon of Winter Classic. My DP is snoozing, although he had many different big intentions, but it’s an afternoon at home, as I expected.
There’s something truly magnificent in seeing all these gorgeous Canadians sitting in the snow, big time, on the first day of the new year. They are all bundled up and bracing against the cold, for the sake of the game.
I am thoughtful about what the New Year brings for me. I think the biggest and somewhat most central of resolutions, that I can be moved to make at this moment, is to truly have your people in your corner. Regardless of how similar or dissimilar to you they may seem, everyone deserves someone in their corner. It’s just a real blessing to have connection, to feel connection with another person, stranger or otherwise. So I challenge all of us to just relax and feel totally fulfilled for just having loved ones in your life, for having to opportunity to reach out and touch someone you barely know, or just extend the biggest gratitude from your heart in the moments that are the most truthfully poignant in your life, good or perhaps not always as good.

No judgement, pure support, pure openheartedness to all in 2014.

Welcome 2013.

For last year’s words belong to last year’s language and next year’s words await another voice.”
― T.S. Eliot, Four Quartets

When I reflect on what my New Year’s resolutions mean to me, I connect with this quote and its vagueness and flexibility. It focuses not on numerical, quantitative goals, which I would find ultimately so stressful, but on personal growth, development and rebirth. I enjoy the practice of creating resolutions at this time of year, so that I can engage with the process of self-examination. I try to avoid specific resolutions that set myself up for suicide, and instead use a lovely broad brush that can sweep me up and allow me to go to difficult places while feeling hopeful about the outcome.

For example, last year I chose to Continue Reading for Pleasure and Continue Cooking. These are activities that I already practice semi-regularly, but I know they bring me pleasure and confidence. By confirming them in a resolution, I confirm their significance but also don’t inundate myself with too many new ideas and behaviours at once.

One I struggled with, but did better, was Reconnecting to the Body in a Peaceful Manner. I had a healthier and fitter 2012 than my 2011, and I hope to continue that trend for 2013. I wish I could subtract my perfectionist nature from this, I am absolutely guilty of comparing myself to magazines and models, and it’s quite the bummer. I love SNAP fitness and plan to return today after 2 weeks of celebrating and I look forward to continuing with them through the winter months.

This year, my 2013 New Year’s Resolution is to Prioritize my Mental Health. Since I struggle with depression but function wonderfully with medication, it’s easy to ignore the lesser symptoms. Although I don’t stay up all night and forget to eat, I still bully myself regularly. In a conversation with DP this week, he was astonished to hear that I estimate 90% of my thoughts are critical in some fashion. I was equally astonished to learn that other people don’t do that to themselves! haha

That being said, every other resolution I could make falls under that umbrella. Whether it’s exercising and eating right, only letting positive people in my life, working hard and playing more, everything comes down to trying to love and forgive myself on a daily basis. So I think, although it is a tall order, this will be the only resolution I make this year … it may be the only one you need to make as well!

xoxo
Laine