New Years resolutions and other impossible standards

My 2016 accomplishments:

• 86 blog posts
• Read 73 books – faves were The Light Between Oceans,History on Trial: My Day in Court with a Holocaust Denier, Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, From Silk to Silicon: The Story of Globalization Through Ten Extraordinary Lives, and A Gentleman in Moscow
• Traveled to France and Italy, Colorado, Florida twice, Nashville, and Utah
• Redecorated the house and began construction on a pool and new garage apartment
• Went to a ton of baseball games and children’s plays
• Ran a month of posts about self-compassion
• Got involved in Sisterhood in larger capacity, ran a hugely successful school book fair, and joined some new organizations. I now call myself a “professional volunteer.”

Nothing earth-shattering, it’s true.  I wish I’d helped more people, displayed more patience with my loved ones, and connected with my friends more.  For the world, it’s been a lot of ups and downs.  It would be easy to fall into cynicism and defeat, but I am hopeful that every setback will be a catalyst for positive change and awakening.

What’s the point of measuring what we’re NOT? Let’s focus on how much we’ve all grown over the past 365 days and move on. Maybe I didn’t do enough… or maybe I did.  Who is to judge?

I don’t feel shiny-and-new right now, though I can say that I truly lived every day of the year and focused on what I could contribute rather than what was going wrong.  I made new friends, learned a great deal, and am happy with where I am.

Don’t like something? Change your focus, dream up new circumstances, move on and find your power.  Maximize your happiness and let the rest go.

Each of us has tried to find meaning in the people and events of our life.  We’ve focused on what brings us joy and reflected that back into the world.  We are all growing toward the light and toward the potential within us.

Let’s focus our thoughts, words, and actions toward shaping new and desirable experiences.  Let’s enjoy the time and years we are here together.  May this new year spark courage, creativity, and meaning for all of us.