Resolutions and Solutions for 2012

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Some of you have heard me say this more times than you probably would have liked to but… I just am going to say it – again. I cannot believe that we are less than 36 hours away from closing out 2011. There are a number of things that come to mind with ushering in a brand new year. Some of them might be important changes in life like using it as the chance to start afresh; to right wrongs or to strive to accomplish that one thing that has always been out of reach. Another thought that comes hand-in-hand with the holiday is the ever-popular New Year’s resolutions. Just some of the more recognizable ones might be a new job or to spend more time with family, or live a healthier lifestyle.

I’ve not been one to “buy” into all the hype of resolutions, but I do (sometimes) mentally coach myself on what I’d like to accomplish. Sometimes it might be taking another step in seeing completion to one of my goals or changing flaws about myself; human imperfections and all.   

Time is such a funny thing. The older we get, the faster it seems to go. I can remember ringing in this year as if it were just yesterday and already we must welcome in a new year. And, in many ways a new year can be a wonderful thing.

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It can be kind of like a metaphor for wiping the slate clean and using it to see past heartaches wash away. There’s songs written about it and there’s popular phrases ascribed to it but life truly is nothing more than a “blink of an eye.” It moves faster than we want and at a speed we cannot even try to keep pace with. During the holidays I was sort of taken aback at how “different” this Christmas seemed. My family rarely does anything with great fanfare, but this year Christmas seemed to come and go with even less notice. Don’t misunderstand, I still thoroughly enjoyed the holiday season; it was one filled with joy and
laughter – and that is where it counts.  

Because of changes in their lives, my aunt and uncle and their family have been extremely busy which means we don’t see them as often. This past week we were able to spend an afternoon with them for our Christmas together and it was wonderful. We did a few things different from previous years and despite the joy that comes with those pastimes, I spent one of the best Christmases that I can remember with them. We didn’t do anything “exciting” but I loved lounging around the living room with all of them and laughing so hard that my sides hurt. That afternoon is what matters in life. It isn’t expensive gifts, or trips around the world, but rather, time. The time that we spend with those who are dear to us, and even more importantly, how we spend that time.  

For several years now recording artist Point of Grace has been one of my favorite Christian groups. As I’ve grown older, they have become an even more entertaining group with wisdom in their lyrics. The trio has a song called “How you Live” that completely encompasses such themes. During the 3-something minute song, it patches together seemingly insignificant events from our life; it encourages us to realize that it’s not who we might have “known” or what we “did” that will matter, but… how we lived. So… do I have aspirations or goals for 2012?

You bet I do. Does that mean that I’m going to let them consume me so that I neglect everything else? No, it doesn’t. Perhaps instead of creating a whole new, long list of things that to accomplish, maybe it would behoove us all to take a look at the solutions to the “lists.” What might already need our attention but get shoved to the back of the closet in lieu of less satisfying pursuits. One thing is certain, no matter what 2012 may hold, I hope it offers you all some truly wonderful moments and events of great joy – and maybe even brings a healthy challenge or two.  

I’d also like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to all of you. Whether you stumbled on this blog by chance or found it through a link, thank you all for being here; it’d greatly appreciated and I enjoy getting to know each and every one of you. So… thank you for all of your encouragement these past six months and for reading what I’ve written. It has been a fun time.  

All that’s left to do now is the count down… starting from ten.  

…10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1 – and Happy New Year! It’s 2012.  

Thank you for visiting! Come back soon.