After hours of editing my journals, pictures, and old boxes of collected cards and notes - I hit a level of enough and pulled myself away to take a healthy break.
I smelled of old memories
Washing and scrubbing my hands allowed me to symbolically be free of the past and eager to create new adventures and easier paths for my future. The new year was around the corner and I was ready.
I spent time contemplating what made me smile, what was energizing or created the dreadful feeling of being burdened. What could I do to achieve more smiles and etch out time to pursue my passions. Something NEW this year.
From 2003 onward I wrote essentially the same obligatory goal list each year, with occasional glimmers of new activities. I cut and pasted these on a board the artwork that spoke to me - without much thought - yet this was my inspiration for the year. It worked! But, as so many things, it needed a dose of freshening up.
What made me smile in 2025?
- Drinking a good cup of coffee
- Being heard
- Enjoying a good time with friends who care for me -- harder to find than I thought
- Visiting with my children
- Reading on a quiet and cozy afternoon
- Watching TV by candlelight
- Writing at my local coffee shop or bookstore
- Looking at the stars and waiting for the aurora to show itself while we stood on a hill in the neighborhood
- Smelling flowers on a walk and discovering I liked to take their pictures
- Seeing my daughter and husband planning the garden by pouring over the plant brochures
- Picking up trash on trails walked with magical thoughts
- Pulling invasives
- Learning about trees, forest life, conservation and its stewardship
- Patiently healing from 2025 injuries
- Talking with my siblings
- Finding orienteering flags in the woods, even losing our way and getting lost in the events
- Embracing my Pacing Days of relaxed, no conflict or sense of urgency days
- Smiling over creation
Notice all the VERBS
Maybe it's the VERBS (action) on this list that in my daily life makes me smile, happy, feel accomplished and delights my soul - so simple.
A New Year feels so clean and full of promise.
An open calendar brings excitement over what's ahead.
Happy New Year. I hope you find some meaningful verbs to carry into 2026.
