Anything is possible on January 1st. Each and every year I actually believe that I will lose those ten pounds, pull back on the caffeine, stop drinking wine altogether, reject cheese and chocolate, and turn my nose at candy-coated morsels… except Advil.
Plus, I’ll exercise all the time.
And I’ll get right on it.
Tomorrow. Just after I recover from my sugar-crash-boozy over-indulgent hangover from New Year’s Eve.
But you know how it goes.
Somehow tomorrow becomes business-as-usual and I head off to the fromagerie for a tasty tidbit to go with the new bottle of wine and bar of chocolate. C’est la vie.
This year, in addition to the long list above that today I actually believe I’ll do until tomorrow comes and I forget, I’m practicing being present and savoring each moment.
And here’s the thing with that:
I achieve my New Year’s resolution immediately.
And here’s the thing with that: I feel glorious love opening in my chest. I can’t quite explain why but the moment I remember to fully focus on what is happening, I feel my energy field expanding and I wonder if my skin will even be able to contain it.
For example, yesterday I was sticking stamps on my Paris Letters, which I’ll pop in the mail tomorrow. I was concentrating on how lovely it feels to rip each stamp from its perforated edge.
Satisfying like popping bubble wrap.
Then Christophe, who was learning a new song on guitar, interrupted this stamp-perforation reverie to ask which way sounds better… with the capo or without. Normally, I’d sigh and feel interrupted. But I stopped myself and fully focused on him and the guitar.
It happened again.
My heart filled with joy and gratitude overflowed.
There he was, being totally kind and sweet and sexy, playing guitar and filling the room with music.
Being present makes one feel very lucky.
“To the attentive eye, each moment of the year has its own beauty, and in the same field, it beholds, every hour, a picture which was never seen before, and which shall never be seen again.”
–Ralph Waldo Emerson
What is your New Year’s resolution?
Ah yes being present. Something you cannot plan, since that would be in the future. You actually have to do it, right here, right now. Sure feels good though doesn’t it.
Melanie recently posted..Moments of Kindness
Happy New Year Janice, and big congrats on your engagement. It sounds like 2013 will be a magnificent year for you!
My resolution is to drink more champagne than I did last year…it’s the same thing I resolve to do every New Year!
Cheers!
Great quote! That one’s definitely going in the book.
New Years Resolution 2013: Start living my life and stop passing the time.
I’d also like to get more sleep.
I missed you this holiday but had very happy thoughts imagining you in magical Paris.
xo H
I don’t really set resolutions per se but themes I like to stick to when making decisions. Last year was the year of being fearless so it meant taking risks. This year is the year of balance where I’m going to try to work on some things I have been neglecting, some of it my health but also looking to slow down and focus on things that will deliver the most benefit instead of saying yes to everything.
Ayngelina recently posted..How I will remember 2012
Beautiful! The hardest thing in the whole wide world for me is being present. I need all the reminders I can get. But you’re totally right- it does make you feel lucky. I’m going to slam my computer shut after I write this and pay attention to my poor husband who must feel like a blogging widower. Happy New Year, Janice!
Jeanette Nyberg recently posted..How to Give Cable the Old Shaft (Get Rid of Cable)
This might be one of my favorite posts you’ve ever written. And I can’t wait to get my first letter. I promise to be unwaveringly present as I read it.
Mel Heth recently posted..Those People Who Seem to Have It All Figured Out
Best resolution ever!
There is only one resolution that matters. I love my son but this year, I vow to love him better. All the best, Janice in love, adventure and work.
I like your resolution – I struggle with being present/concentrating on the current moment – there are times when I remember, but usually the days seem to rush by in a one murky blur. Sketching and yoga exercises help to pause and notice. Guess I should be doing more of both.
My resolution is to simplify: to reduce the amount of stuff I have in my house; to stop overthinking; to trust the initial positive feelings before they get muddled by fear and doubt; etc.