Teach You A Lesson

Happy New Year!

*Grabs popcorn* So, what'd you do?! Did you spend the time getting dressed, going out and partying? What's worse, the pain or the hangover? Did you go to 42nd street to watch the ball drop? When the clock struck 12, did you kiss that special someone? Are you the lucky one whose boyfriend popped the question? If you were me, your New Year is full of traditions. It can be any of the above, or it can be cleaning house, mentally and physically. Physically, my family is cleaning from top to bottom. We mop, sweep, change our bedding, do all of the laundry in the house, eat our collard greens, black-eyed peas and fried chicken, make sure there are no dishes in the sink by 11, no garbage in the bin after 11:30, and everyone is showered with money in hand, sitting in front of the tv by 11:45. We bring in the year with our family, sparkling cider and cell phones. If you ask me, it's a good time.

Mentally, we all make resolutions, whether or not we stick to them is a different story. Some may argue that we shouldn't wait until January to make resolutions, while I agree, I also ask, what better time than January? January is a time of evaluating and it symbolizes new beginnings. The Roman god, Janus ( Janus... January -- definite relation ), is the god of gates, doorways, beginnings and endings. Pictures of this god usually show him as having two faces, facing opposite directions -- glancing at the past and looking forward to the future.

As the saying goes, you can't know where you're going, if you don't know where you've come from. I've come from good times, however, I've seen some downers. We've all had trials, tribulations, and sorrow, but if you're reading this, you've made it through. I'd like to think that the hope we all restore in our lives for change when the new year comes around, helps us do this. January is a point of evolution and I encourage you to take a look back and come up with a few things you'd like to do differently. They don't have to be very specific but you have to set some goals.

After doing some evaluating and hearing a good word, 2011 will be my year of love and forgiveness. Contrary to popular belief, we aren't put on the earth to be miserable, but to find joy. We have to make time for the things and people we love. People always say time is money, but, in reality, time is more valuable. You can always make more money, but you can't get time back. Use this time to spend with people that matter and doing things that make you happy. Let your hair down, stop and smell the roses, laugh a little longer and take the language class you thought you didn't have time for.  If you're creative and want to do something with it, explore the option. Our days on Earth are numbered, so make the most of them while you can. No, don't quit your job just yet, but hone your talents. We all have them, but we've never taken the time to use them to their fullest potential.

Our rearview mirror on life is full of different things and we have to build a bridge and get over it. Easier said than done, but if we live our present life, over the history of yesterday and not for the mystery of tomorrow, we're not really living. Living our life full of regret and the past ill-doings of others, won't enable progression. If you argued with a close friend last year, make the decision to leave the argument or the friend, in 2010. If you're beating yourself up about something you did in the past, start a new and try not to make it again. Really, that was SO last year. If I do nothing else, I just want to live wisely; I want to make every day count. I can't take a proper step forward, if I'm looking at my tracks. We may not lose the 25 lbs we aim for every year nor may we save the amount of money we'd like, but it's ok. As long as we make the smart decision that'll make us happy, I think we'll stay afloat.

I'm going to share a few isms I've picked up for the new year. I'll give 11, since it seems fitting :) Apply them as you see fit:

1. Smiling changes your mood. Try it. If it doesn't work the first time, keep trying until it does.
2. If you're not satisfied with your past, change it; it can be that easy.
3. If you have a choice between being right and being kind, be kind.
4. Even though it may be true, it may not need to be said. If you don't say it, you won't have to apologize.
5. Don't deliberately hurt people.
6. You can have everything you want, you just can't have it all at the same time.
7. Pick your battles wisely; you'll find that some shouldn't be fought. The greatest victory is the battle that never happened.
8. Be careful not to expect from others what they don't have in them to give you.
9. Some people come in your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime; bundle accordingly.
10. Tell someone you love, you love them.
11. Schedule me time.

January is a great month, it's the month of my birthday ( Go Capricorns! ) and a time of transition. We're given 365 days, on leap years, 366, to do anything we desire; make the hyphen between our beginning and our end mean something. So use this time wisely to love and be forgiving to those in your path; a heavy heart is a complete drag.

Smoochis :-*
KK