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Friday, December 16, 2011

Early Resolutions

One of my New Year's resoultions is to be more appreciative of things.  You know, being more grateful for what I have. I thought of it on Thanksgiving--no suprise there--and thought "why should I wait until 2012?  Why not start now?" 
So I got a blank journal off the shelf and started writing five things I'm thankful for each day. I thought surely this would be easy, but it's turned out to be harder than I expected.  Once you get past the big things like a job, family, friends, and health, it's difficult to say what you appreciate. 
I've found myself thinking of all sorts of things:  English murder mysteries, remote controls, Christmas lights and i-phones. When my computer got a virus I was thankful for Geek Squad for fixing it.  I learned how much I appreciate technology when I didn't have it.
The good and bad of it is I look around at all I have and realize how truly blessed I am.  Good because I've been more content with what I have.  Bad because when people say "what do you want for Christmas" I have to answer "Nothing, really.  I don't need anything." It makes it hard to shop because we have so much already it's hard to want to buy more stuff.  As I buy presents I stop and consider "is this something they will want?" or am I buying it just because I think I have to get something for others?
If you think about it, putting Thanksgiving at the beginning of the holiday season is a good thing.  It should put us in the right frame of mind for celebrating Christmas and it's true meaning.

2 comments:

  1. What a wonderful post, Beth. You're so right. I suggested to my brother & his family this yeaqr that we don't trade gifts. We all have enough--way too much. When I think of things I'm thankful for... I have to say wonderful green salads. Some countries don't have them. And avocados! I love them. :) And hankies. Don't you just love a beautiful hankerchief? But at the same time, tissues ... just because they're more convenient. LOL This could go on forever. As my husband says, we live in the best of times. There was no such thing as the good old days ... we're living them! I hope you and your family have a blessed Christmas!

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  2. I'm working on my own resolutions now - MUST GET MORE ORGANIZED! ;-) I look forward to reading more from you and seeing you at BWG.

    Sylvia
    http://www.writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/

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