Statue of Anne Frank http://fr.fotopedia.com/items/flickr-312721697
“How noble and good everyone could be if, every evening before falling asleep, they were to recall to their minds the events of the whole day and consider exactly what has been good and bad. Then without realizing it, you try to improve yourself at the start of each new day.” ― Anne Frank
Assessing my life at the end of 2011 was bad enough. I basically changed the title on my “2011 Resolutions” to “2012 Resolutions” and kept the same goals for the upcoming year. Now at the end of 2012, I can just about do the same thing. There is not a single resolution that I can cross off and say “Done!”
Granted, many of my resolutions are ongoing and I’ve made progress on some of them—the ones related to health, writing, journaling, spirituality, and using my talents to better the world. In a couple of them—notably those related to career and finances—I’ve gone backwards given that I lost my job in March. Similarly, my attempts to declutter were pretty pitiful and what actually happened is that my husband and I gained much miscellaneous in our house. My oldest daughter is teaching in South Korea, so we have her worldly goods. My son just graduated college, so he and his college stuff are back at home. My youngest daughter is getting ready to go to Spain for a semester, so guess where her most of her belongings will stay? And my Mom passed away in March, so there are still boxes from her condo, which we sold this year, in my basement for me to go through “someday.”
My initial thought was that this is pretty pathetic for a woman who writes about being a leader in your own life. But part of being a leader in your own life is being able to go with the flow and adjust priorities as needed. Was it really more important that my house be pristine and decluttered, or was it more important that I support my three young-adult children in their life choices?
Was pulling in work income all that important? Or was it more important that I supported my Mom during the last two weeks of her life? This year, I started pursuing work that I am passionate about. Granted, my work is unpaid, but I have not given up on writing for payment down the road and perhaps have laid some groundwork for that.
So my 2013 resolutions are going to look very similar to my 2012 resolutions. And that is OK. One good thing about me is that I keep trying. I wanted to walk more and run more in 2012 and I did. I have not been successful with that particular goal in December, but I accept my failure as a learning experience. I realize that I procrastinated on Christmas preparations too much and then let it take up my “spare time” in December instead of using that time to walk or run. I also learned that as a writer and blogger, social media takes up much of my time, and I need to manage that better in 2013.
I think I will take the advice of a young girl, Anne Frank, whose life was cut short. She suggested that each night is our opportunity to reflect on the day. What happened? How did I handle today’s events? If I failed at something, what can I learn from it?
And each morning is our opportunity to reassess our priorities. Each new day is a chance to try again.
So even better than a whole new year is that tomorrow is a whole new day. Happy New Day to you and yours!
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How did you succeed with last year’s resolutions? What are your plans for the year ahead? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Women Making Strides 
Sue, I think you cut yourself short! You’ve done tremendous things, just look at this blog!!
My niece, Maria, was over today, and she shared with me something I found very profound. She just started a yoga class last week, and her instructor had a very profound suggestion: We should not make New Year’s resolutions that we may never succeed at. Rather, we should plant good intentions and continue to water and nurture those intentions. We may have thought we planted tomatoes and instead carrots may come up. But, we are still growing something, and we still have success, if perhaps success at something we never planned. I find that quite profound. And so my good intentions will be to try to improve this world in any way I can, to continue to work at the ministries that I work at and answer the calls that I hear from God. And whatever may come of it, it is a gift from God.
Thank you, Sue, for the blessing you’ve been in my life. And for being so encouraging to so many people.
Love you!
Cathy
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Cathy, you do beautiful work with all your ministries! Thank you for your support and for all that you do. Love and hugs to you!
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My New Year’s resolutions are
1. A race a month for a year
2. to embody being Inspiration, Creativity and Success
3. continue my quest for happiness, forgiveness and joy in all i do.
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I love it! Thanks for posting.
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I set some simple goals and achieve some and missed the mark on others. I have purposed to have something published every week. And through examiner.com I achieved that goal. The pay is lousy but my goal was consistency. Other areas have suffered and I realize time management is the key. I commend your flexibility. Those are the things that count for eternity.
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Cindy, that’s great that you took the time to reflect on your successes and your learning experiences. Happy New Year and best wishes to you.
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Happy New Year, Susie! May 2013 be a wonderfully blessed year!
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Thanks, Sharla. I wish the same for you!
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Happy New Year, Sue! I enjoy reading your blogs. Don’t worry about decluttering. You will know when the time is right. I look forward to another wonderful year for 2013.
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Estela, I much appreciate your support and reassuring words. Happy New Year to you and yours.
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I am still working on this year’s goals. I like to see them as works in progress. Love Cathy G’s thought about planting good intentions and being open to whatever sprouts! You are doing LOTS of good, Sue! Concentrate on that, rather than the things you aren’t doing! They will take care of themselves in good time!
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Sue, on the wall in my home is an America print that says, “Every day is an opportunity to make a new happy ending.” I love that sweet little reminder! Thought I’d share it here. Happy New Year, friend!
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I love the Anne Frank story and she’s set a great example of what to be grateful for. Your posts are great.
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