Saturday, January 31, 2009

Possibilities and Goodness

So I have been thinking this week about the new year and all that goes with that train of thought. I am pretty excited for 2009. I tell you what, the older I get, the more I like change. Having openly said that, I also admit to liking the sameness of things that comes over time too. I think I am one of the ten people in the world who like "New Years' Resolutions". I do. I like the challenge that comes with them and the idea of bettering one's self. That doesn't mean that I accomplish everything I set out to do or that my resolutions don't morph into something else altogether by years' end, rather that I like the idea of change and progress in myself and NYR's provide me that opportunity. So why do we make such a big deal out of NYR's? 

My friend Rach and I recently discovered a quirk that we both shared. I told her how much I liked finishing things like a tube of toothpaste or a bottle of lotion. There's a certain something that comes with finishing and starting fresh. Weird huh? Any of you who know me well, know that I am as anti-clutter as they come and this is no exception. Funny thing, she said she felt the same way. Rach is not nearly as anti-clutter as I am and yet we both share the same affinity for the finishing of the thing.  Thinking further on this line, I realized that this "quirk" flows into many other areas of my life. For the sake of this post, I'll focus on the NYR-link it has. I like setting goals and progressing towards their ultimate completion. But really I just like finishing things. I have run races over the years and in thinking back on them, I recognize how much I love finishing the journey. That is what I am addicted to - the metaphorical finish line. 

So, as I look at this year and the goals I have set I am also setting another and that is to enjoy not only the finishing of the thing, but also the journey. I am going to pause a little longer to take in the scenery and appreciate the task at hand instead of only looking to the end. I am going to better see the possibilities and the goodness in the world around me while still being me and running with all my might to that glorious finish line.

3 comments:

Steph Swindle said...

I LOVE finishing bottles of stuff. I go to extremes at times to do so.
The seed catalog article reminded me of you even though you don't have a garden for awhile.

xoxo,
Steph

Ramona said...

I was just thinking of you this morning as I was in our Provident Living Sunday school class. They were talking about how now-a-days people don't come together as a community and help each other out and work for each other's good. I immediately thought of you and all of the fun projects that we'd do together. I always remember them being in the effort to save money or create something from nothing. That was such a special time of life for me! Thank you so much for being part of it. I need a friend like you in my life now to get me going on projects that I am not going to start alone!

Unknown said...

I have to finish bottles too!I love reading your posts!I did make a new years resolution, I hope I can keep it!