new beginnings

the new year will very shortly be here.

i don't do resolutions. i set goals. intentions. striving not for perfection but improvement. last year the unifying word for my goals was health.

this year: peace.

you may remember, the better part of this year has been filled with transition. tears, struggles, hard decisions, mistakes, sadness. the transition morphs into a series of new beginnings. as i continue to take little steps forward, i will focus on being at peace.

peace of mind. owning my decisions, my actions. the good and the bad. taking time to evaluate and understand but not dwell. learning and accepting in an effort to move forward.

peaceful actions. even in the stupidest moments, it is never my intention to hurt someone. perspective is a tricky business and what one person may view as innocent another views as betrayal. i am continually trying to be more mindful of how my actions affect others in an effort not to hurt anyone else or myself.

peaceful words. communication can be tough. especially in this technological era when so often we rely on typed communication instead of verbal. there are so many situations where typed messages are fabulous. paper trails can be so very helpful. yet in matters of the heart, for instance, talking is so beneficial. there is context and body language. you can hear the emotion: sarcasm or anger or light-heartedness. i want to bring awareness to my words and interactions in an effort to continue to reduce miscommunications and unnecessary unpleasantness.

really i want to find peace in my life. within myself and where i am at on this journey. in my relationships with friends and family. i want to embrace this new beginning and make it the best year possible.

here's to the new year, my chickadees! let's make it the best one yet.