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Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Facing The New Year



The New Year gives me the same sensation that I used to get walking out of the confessional on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon and enjoying the uplifting (howbeit temporary) sensation of having a soul as spotless as a downy white baby seal. Of course by Monday afternoon my soul would look more like a dirty Dalmatian dodging Animal Control.

I’ve been pondering some resolutions for 2012, but I haven’t made any commitments. It seems I have a bad track record with huge statements made in public meant to pressure me into making changes. Of course there’s a whole slew of us spewing off at the mouth at this time of the year so nobody really pays much attention to who is keeping their resolutions and who isn’t. I always seem to keep track of my resolutions though, and I feel the heart curling shame they inflict on my conscience when I don’t keep them. So, this year I ain’t making any!

Suffice it to say that I am going to try really hard to focus on what really matters instead of standing in front of the mirror and pulling on my face to see what I’d look like with a face-lift.




I want to focus more on the things that I need to do to in order to take better care of myself. I believe that on the inside of us we have all of the tools that we need in order to live an amazing life. I want to be like one of those all-in-one miracle pocketknives that they advertise at 3:00 a.m. on those late night shopping networks with those loud mouth announcers bragging; “That’s right folks, it screws, hammers, saws, measures, levels, opens cans, makes keys, starts your car, and adjusts the firmness of your mattress!”




That about sums it up. I have no fancy words or strategies for success. I figure if I focus on this one thing the rest will simply fall into place… including my face;)




36 comments:

photos by jan said...

There ya go, perfect, sounds like a plan to me. Mine as well is to live life with love and honesty, honesty to myself, this should bring around some changes.

Leah Griffith said...

Jan, if we follow through with our plans I believe we will see some mighty changes... How exciting!!!!!
Happy New Year honey pie. Keep it real;)

Anonymous said...

Yes we have the tools within us and when needed we will pull it out! Be with the moment... Nourish thy self.... What better way to live 2012!

Leah Griffith said...

Sparkle, I love that word "nourish". It sounds very intentional, yet gentle and private. Nourish myself. Wonderful!
Happy New Year darlin!

Karen Wojcik Berner said...

I am certain you have the right tools inside to make this year memorable. Best of luck with your writing. I hope you will be able to grace the pages of my blog again for Flash Fiction Fridays...hint...hint... ((winks))

David said...

A great approach to resolutions and achievements in the New Year though I made a resolution for the first time in many many years. If we try to improve as a whole instead of just one aspect of our life then we'll be better off in the end. Good luck with being a miracle pocketknife!! :)

Leah Griffith said...

Hi Karen! Happy New Year to you too my dear. I'm sure you will meet with even more success and creativity this year!

I'd love to do a piece for your blog. Right now I'm neck deep in e-publishing and final edits but I'm sure I can carve out a bit of time to write something fun and fresh. I'll keep you posted.
XO

The Poet said...

Hello Leah. Happy New Year!
I am not one who makes resolutions. I am grateful for another year of life, good health & most importantly love. Anything else on top of that is a bonus.
I agree with sparklemezen...we have to take time out for ourselves & nourish us.

Wishing you all the best for this coming year. May it be one filled with much happiness, laughter & of course love.
Thanks for sharing & visiting.

Leah Griffith said...

Hi Dave, I did contemplate a resolution but it seemed like there were so many things I wanted to adjust that I got overwhelmed. So... One big thing should do it.

I just love that huge pocketknife only it won't fit in my handbag;)

Happy New Year Dave!

Leah Griffith said...

Happy New Year Andy! I'm sure with your attitude and sensitivity that you make each day magical. That's my aim... to live in the moment, be creative, and love love love! It's all about love isn't it? Thank you for spreading your magic here Andy. I always enjoy your visits.

Jamie Saloff said...

I stopped creating resolutions years ago when it became evident I wasn't going to really be committed to doing them. I have, however, surmounted many challenges and achieved many accomplishments without making a resolution. So keep a clear conscious and skip the dirty Dalmatian feeling. LoL

Leah Griffith said...

Jamie! LOL!! You crack me up;) Skip the dirty Dalmatian feeling indeed!
I actually have some pretty big plans for the year and look forward to achieving them but adding resolutions to them is like hanging obligation stones on my dreams.
Thanks for the comment and Happy New Year!

Rimly said...

Perfect resolution Leah! I never make them but this year I intend to be more cheerful and allow life to unfold with grace.

S. Susan Deborah said...

Unlocking the tools within. I expect a lot of things around this time and as I expect, I know where I stand and what I want. But acting on those, I have to.

A very happy new year to you dear Leah.

Joy always,
Susan

Leah Griffith said...

Rimly, I can tell that you're a deep soul. So am I. I think we both need to take clown classes;)
Happy New year sister. May your smiles be many and your joy be full.
Hugs,
Leah

Leah Griffith said...

Susan, you sound like you're ready for action. I love that! You go get em girl!!!
Thanks so much for the visit Susan and have an amazing 2012.
Peace & Blessings,
Leah

Anonymous said...

Hi there in Germany they say: "The way to hell is plastered with resolutions!" (does not matter if New Year's or not) so I gave them up (but I guess subconciously they are still there ;-) somewhere) Great entry ~ thanks!

Lacey said...

Loved this! I especially loved seeing you pull your face back...glad it didn't go to the scary level of Men in Black, remember Edgar! :)
Resolutions are made to be broken, so I don't make them. I know if there is something in my life that needs to change and I'm not waiting till Jan 1st to tell myself to do it.
Live in the moment, you only have one life.

Love
Lacey

Debra said...

Leah, that first paragraph provided my biggest grin of the day ;-) Such an apt description of soul after confession, then how it feels like dirty Dalmatian dodging animal control.
And the face-lift image brought yet another super smile. *ALL SMILES*
No resolutions for me. A check list maybe. Goals wouldn’t hurt. But resolutions aren’t meant to be kept, are they?

Karen Wojcik Berner said...

Hi, Leah. Me again. I gave you an award on my blog today.
http://karenwojcikberner.blogspot.com/2012/01/special-thursday-post.html

Leah Griffith said...

phoenixrisesagain, just as the road to hell is paved with good intentions LOL!! Thanks for the visit!

Leah Griffith said...

Lacey, my face has morphed back to its original form;) I like the "live in the moment" philosophy, one can waste a whole lot of time living in the future or past. I try to adhere to it but sometimes it's nearly impossible.

When's your next visit? LOL!!
Love!!!

Leah Griffith said...

Debra, I'm glad that I made you smile;)
I do have a checklist of goals and I'm determined to make them all happen. If not, well, there's always next year...
Happy New Year and keep on smiling!

Leah Griffith said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Leah Griffith said...

Hello again Ms. Karen. Wow; that' the sweetest thing. Thank you!

Martha Jane Orlando said...

I'm in your club, Leah! No resolutions per se, just becoming more of who God intends me to be in this life. Not a face-lift, a "life-lift"! :)
Thanks once again for a wonderful post!
Blessings!

Leah Griffith said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Leah Griffith said...

Hi Martha! I believe as humans we tend to focus on the outside of the cup when we feel overwhelmed with its contents. LOL!! A life-lift is just the thing I need;)
Sending peace and a hug for the New Year.

Healing Morning said...

New Year's Resolutions never worked for me. I've written my own diatribe about the concept and have come to peace with my own approach. I just greet the New Year with appreciation that I'm alive, breathing and have love in my life. I know many people like the concept of announcing a new goal, and being accountable to others, but that just irritates me. I see no reason to embrace something that irritates me because there's nothing healthy about that action!

A choice to look inward, though, is pretty smart, no matter the time of year! Good for you, my bright, lovely one - I have no doubt that your decision is going to lead you down some interesting paths and provide a ton of entertainment and growth...and most likely a blog or two along the way.

Much love to you in 2012. <3

- Dawn

Jayne said...

LOL, Leah! I stand in front of a mirror and pull at my face all the time! Maybe my resolution should be to stop doing that because I know that there's no way in hell I'd ever get a lift (to begin with, I'm too darn chicken).

Love this post, Leah. Fun and full of truisms! Taking care of oneself is the very best thing anyone could do for oneself. When we do that, the rest will follow, and everything will fall into place as it should.

I love your brand of philosophy, Leah. Leah's Lessons. (Oh! That might make for a good column (or book)--the paper's (and publishers) really ought to be courting you. ;)

Melissa Tandoc said...

Oh Leah...I truly like how you wrote your piece ;) We call it differently ~ resolutions, plans and the in thing right now is the Vision Board Linda introduced to us. These are the things I want to happen and see in my life this year. Hmmm... well, most of them sound ridiculously impossible but what the heck ;) I was able to see the Pope 4 years ago without even wishing for it and Roy was able to publish our Children's book in two weeks time ~ Geez! I'm opening my doors, yes!

Leave the face lift lol...smile a lot :*

Leah Griffith said...

Dawn, I'm convinced that looking inward is the ticket. I don't want to live in my head but in my heart. My head is a little weird! LOL!
Happy New Year sweet lady. I'm sure the future holds some amazing gifts for you;)

Leah Griffith said...

Jayne, I wish you everything wonderful for the New Year. With your talent and sweet spirit I believe you can accomplish anything you put your mind to.
I'm all in this year... if I can keep my mind on things! LOL!

Leah Griffith said...

Melissa, I believe we set out own limitations. If we would get out of our own way we would soar!
A vision board sounds like the ticket. I'll have to look into it.
Happy New Year honey pie. I wish you everything that your heart desires.

Tameka said...

I am so with you on this post. I always work on getting better each year and do my work throughout the year so I don't feel so pressured to try to change my world in January! We are meant to be better each day and I think you're doing a great job! I'm late, but Happy New Year Leah! I do believe that the best is yet to come!

http://lyricfire.typepad.com/lyric-fire/2012/01/lyric-fire-soul-diving-partial-poempart-confession.html

Leah Griffith said...

Hi Tameka! I like that... getting better each year. Yes! And it's funny you should say that the best is yet to come because I was just singing that song before you posted your comment. The best is yet to come...

Yes indeed!

xoxoxo

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