The confetti is litter. The hangover is in full swing. The resolutions are already broken. Well, that’s me. How about you? How have you all been these past few weeks? I took a little break while I visited my family in Tennessee. (More on that in this week’s Friday Five.) So I’m anxious to catch up.

Did you make any resolutions for 2013? I’ve given up making resolutions…mostly because I tend to give up any resolutions I make. In 2012 I tried to come up with a theme, an idea from Tammy over at Rowdy Kittens. Simply choose a word or two that captures how you want to move through the world in the next year.

Last January I decided on focus, mostly because I tend to say yes to too many things. I think I’m afraid that if I say no, I’ll disappoint someone or miss an important opportunity. Focus was supposed to remind me to stay centered on what I truly wanted to do: namely anything that took me away from my writing. If it didn’t fit into my already hectic schedule or the offer didn’t excite me from the get-go, I said no. And it worked. Sort of. There were times when I stayed strong, once turning down a freelance editing gig because the extra workload would make me a frazzled mess. There were times when I lost focus, committing to teach two classes despite trying to write and edit and, oh, my day job, and my writing suffered. But focus helped me get up every morning 30 minutes early to write before I go to work and encouraged me not to get distracted with email or Words with Friends or Facebook.

In 2013, I’m going to continue on the same path with the word balance. This short video from Gretchen Rubin at The Happiness Project is what inspired this year’s theme. It seems particularly appropriate to share it with you today, at the start of a new year. The idea resonated with me because, even though I don’t have kids, I could understand the feeling of needing to rush through mundane errands to get to “the next big thing.” How many times have I walked Reggie around the neighborhood wishing he’d stop sniffing at that tree over there because I had Very Important Things To Do!  No longer. These are the moments that make up our lives.

The days are long, but the years are short.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jgVKw9rXRg?rel=0&w=420&h=315]

Thanks to all of you who keep coming around and gracing me with your presence. To those of you who are new subscribers: welcome! I’m so glad you joined.

If you’re new around here, or if you missed some of the highlights, check out these popular posts (according to WP):

Christmas lights in Dyker Heights

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Shine: Opening Hearts and Changing Minds (Also visit the SHINE main page)

Wishing you all the best in 2013! 

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