Postcards from Mosquitoville

I don’t have the greatest track record when it comes to New Years Resolutions.

Last year I decided to write one letter per week to a random someone in my life and let them know why I appreciated them or why I was grateful for them.  It started out so great!  The first 6 weeks I was on FIRE!!  And the people who opened their mailboxes to find my letters were always so thrilled.  I even got a couple of letters in return.  It was fabulous!

But then, my ship slowly started sinking.  I’m not gonna lie, 2013 was pretty bad.  I guess 13 really is my UNLUCKY number because Fate threw lots of nasty little curve balls at our family.  We did have lots of  happy memories, but to say that I’m looking forward to a new beginning in 2014 is an understatement.

So, now that’s officially New Year’s Eve, I’m thinking about what I can do to ensure that a year from now I will be able to look back and smile.  There are a few things that I think will help me feel alive again.  One of the biggest things I want to do is find some happiness within myself and enjoy my own creativity.

So, because of the fact that I don’t want to call this a “Resolution,” I will call this a “Promise to Myself.”

I promise myself that in 2014 I will find ways to enjoy living and be HaPpY!!

Here’s what I’m gonna do:

I just stumbled on a fun little website called The Daily Create.  I’m infatuated.  Today’s challenge was to write a list of  10 “Non-Resolutions” for 2014.  THAT, I can do!

1.  I will NOT win the lottery.  Money just doesn’t feel comfortable around me and I’m starting to understand that.  They say you shouldn’t chase people.  If someone is meant to be in your life, they will come to you and stay.  I guess me and Money are no good for each other.  (But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t LOVE the chance to prove that we could be the best of friends.)

2.  I will NOT pass up an opportunity to tell people how important they are to me.  Maybe I’ll write some more letters.  Maybe I will give out more hugs.  Even just making sure I always have a few extra smiles with me to give to someone who needs one.  I learned this year that you can’t take anything (or anyone) for granted in this life.  I want all the people I love to know that I love them.

3.  I will NOT continue living in such a “very vanilla” house.  I will find small ways to spruce things up and infuse a little personality.  I think this generic environment has been pulling me down long enough.  I need color and beauty to make me feel alive.  Time to do something about that!

4.  I will NOT stay in Utah all year long.  No matter where.  No matter when.  No matter how.  I will get my family the heck out of here for a much-needed vacation.

5.  I will NOT cry during Election Week.  (This is a silly and kind of personal promise, but I look forward to the fact that my tenure as Student Government Adviser will be coming to an end this Spring.  I need a break!  And I know the kids will be in GREAT hands with the new Adviser.)

6.  I will NOT leave the story that is burning within me unwritten.  It wants to get out and start living a life of its own.  I will make sure that happens this year.

7.  I will NOT neglect this blog.  I want to whip it into shape.  It’s been laying around, doing nothing for long enough now.  Time to start earning its keep.

8.  I will NOT reach the final level of Candy Crush Saga.  During my “rainy season” I used this game as an escape.  I called it my brain numbing time.  I’ll admit there were many times I actually needed to numb my brain in 2013, but that will not be the case this year.  I can find more creative ways to forget the sad stuff.  I think if I focus on being creative and happy instead of just numb, this will turn out to be a fantastic year.

9.  I will NOT allow Pinterest to rule my life.  I will use it only for good.  I will allow myself to be inspired and motivated.  I will learn and grow.  I will not use it as another brain numbing escape strategy.

10.  I will NOT gain another ## pounds this year.  So I tried to eat my feelings in 2013.  I will not make that mistake again.  Not going to go so far as to say I’m going to go to the gym every day or give up sugar for a year.  But if I concentrate on a happier and healthier me, I should be able to still fit in my jeans by the end of the year.

What is it that you WILL NOT do in 2014?  I hope you will NOT forget (as I did for a while) that life is beautiful.  It certainly has its rough patches, but we only go around once so we’d better enjoy it.