But, yet, this is what I posted on my personal Facebook page yesterday.
"I have exactly 34 hours to figure out how to be a healthier, more organized, productive person so that 2016 is better than 2015. I can't take the pressure. How about for 2016 I just vow to eat a tad less cheese dip?"
Isn't this so true? Sometimes when we put pressure on ourselves, things don't end well. We set ourselves up for disaster.
So here is what I am going to say for 2016. Let's go a little easier on ourselves. Let's be kinder and gentler to ourselves and others.
Take that nap. Don't stress over that snack you are supposed to take to Bunco, Publix will do it for you!
(If you secretly hate your Christmas elves, it's okay to stop. Let 2016 be the year your elves go to live with Jesus. It really is okay y'all. I promise.) I see all these people agonizing and complaining about the dang elves and I think, "Guys, you know the elves aren't real, right?"
Will the kids be a little disappointed? Maybe? Mine weren't. Couldn't have cared much less. But even if they are a little disappointed, it's probably nothing that a Kit-Kat won't fix. Or better yet, let the kids take turns staging the elves and surprising their siblings. It's a win-win for everyone.
So, here are some of my thoughts for 2016.
Let's think of and not forget the small things that illicit happiness. And do more of *that* this year.
Now, obviously the most important things in life are a relationship with God, family, and friends. Those are absolutely THE most important things in life. And any effort to improve those areas is always a major success. They trump everything else.
But right now I'm trying to also think of the smaller, less obvious things, as well. Maybe some are even seemingly insignificant things that somehow, in some way, make life better.
I have begun thinking of my "things." The little things that can oddly enough, pack a big punch, when it comes to my personal happiness.
1. Books
It's been said that a person who reads lives many different lives. Who said that? Someone said that. And it was one smart cookie. I cannot tell you how much I believe this. I feel so lucky to be a reader and to be able to experience so many things that I wouldn't if I didn't read. There are those who don't get it. "Why do you care about reading a fiction story that isn't even real?" Well, it's amazing, not only because I get to experience an adventure I wouldn't otherwise experience, but books help me understand myself better. That sentence you read and think, "Yes! This is exactly how I feel! And the author has put it into the exact words I have always felt but not been able to define!" Well, that is priceless!
So, reading? Yep, I'm doing even more of it.
2. Reasonably clean house
As gut wrenching as it is for me to admit this, I do feel better, mentally, when my space is reasonably clean. It's taken me 43 years to admit this. And there are times I run unnecessary errands that I strongly suspect is really a diversion from my cluttered living space. I think I may sometimes hide from my house. Or actually flee from it like an ax wielding murderer. So, I guess I'm going to try to get a handle on this. But baby steps.
3. Exercise
Let me be clear. I will not pressure myself to exercise. If I make a set list of things I must do, I've already failed. Maybe I have a rebellious nature and resist things I am *supposed* to do. So I will tell myself I do not HAVE to exercise. Maybe I should even tell myself I am not allowed to exercise. "Oh yeah, I will walk if I want to!!!!" Not sure how to tackle this one, but I do think it starts with something you enjoy and something that doesn't seem like a chore. All of you people who love to hit the gym? Power on sistas! That will never be me. Never. But, I do love to dance. Love it. So that's my first clue I suppose.
4. Water
You would have thought when the woman giving me a facial a few years ago told me that the little lines she was seeing by my eyes weren't actual wrinkles but rather lack of water and could be plumped right up, well, you would think I would have guzzled Lake Michigan by now. But for whatever reason, drinking water is extremely difficult for me. I remember one time in my life where I totally felt like a new person. I was out of the country for a week and felt the best I have ever felt in my life. I've tried to think on this, and was saddened to realize that I think it has to do with water. That week I was drinking lots of clean water because it was safer than risking the foreign ice cubes that might be put into my Cokes that could cause stomach issues. I've racked my brain trying to think of other reasons I felt so fantastic that week, but have come up empty handed other than the fact that I was finally drinking water and not dragging myself around dehydrated half the time. Unless,
there is a hidden benefit to pizza and gelato from the French Riviera which is entirely possible in my hopeful world. More water and more pizza (just to be safe.)
5. More movies
Okay, so this one is silly, but why on earth do I not go to the movies more than I do? I LOVE movies- especially scary ones. There is something about seeing a fictional girl (who unfortunately will be showing the obligatory cleavage), while running from something scary, and will twist her ankle and fall. There is something cathartic about thinking, "Wow, I'm so glad I'm not her!!" More popcorn?
6. More sleep
I hate admitting this one to myself perhaps the most. And this one directly conflicts with number one on this list. Because I love reading late into the night. Love. It. I am a night owl. I love the night. I come alive at night! But the real world doesn't seem to want to work with me on I this one. So it seems I'm going to have to cave a little. Maybe just an hour more.
7. Writing- or whatever makes your heart soar.
I'm a firm believer that if you aren't using your gift, then you aren't truly happy. Period. The end. You have your gift for a reason. Whether it's gardening or drawing or working with animals or painting or hiking- go do it. It makes you...you.
That's it. My small list. My baby-steps list. I'm going to see if small things can yield big results. More happiness. Less stress. Low pressure. And if these things work, I might up my game. And really, if I'm working on all of these things, there really isn't a need to cut back on cheese dip at all. is there?
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