When it comes to making resolutions I've learned to keep my mouth shut. No one remembers what your resolutions were, thank goodness, except me. At first resolutions were positive changes I was going to make in my life. Then I realized they were more like wishes. I was hoping to make change happen. After years and years, I've come to realize that in my case, it's more like lying. I don't like to lie, it makes my head hurt. So I have stopped lying to myself.
But at the party last night we all took turns telling our New Year's Resolutions. All the women said the same thing they say, Every. Single. Year. that they were going to lose at least 30 pounds. For some, the changes coming in 2010 were inevitable, like finding a job, saving for the graduation party coming in the summer, saving more cash, and on and on.
Sister After Me vowed that 2010 was the year she was finally putting herself first. Her health, her happiness, her needs. I don't know, but these sound like code words. I'm going to keep an eye on her.
My mom vowed to have each of her children come to take her some place every single day and to take her on glorious trips, and to include her on every family function, to invite herself whenever possible with the words, "Can I come?" or "Take me with you." or "You're going to invite me, aren't you? or "Where's my ticket?" If it wasn't winter, you would've heard the crickets in the background but because it is winter and there are no crickets, the Silence Was Deafening. NEXT!
When it was my turn, I couldn't say anything except, yeah what you all said. But something came to mind this morning that I think I will try. It came to me after my 22 year old son, Beloved, told me how good it felt to be home this year. He's spending the whole week with us which was the best present he could have bestowed upon his parents.
He told me how happy he was to see a Christmas tree this year. He cared? I didn't think he cared about stuff like that. We didn't have one last year and I bemoaned how much work I thought it was going to be, how I wasn't inspired, that I seriously considered not getting one this year either. Both he and my husband shrugged their shoulders and said they didn't care and even agreed with my assessment. But Youngest Sister brought me tree and thus brought the Christmas spirit and saved the day. She is a wise and giving woman.
He later told me how happy he was to see the tree. He didn't even realize that it made such a difference. We weren't home the day Beloved arrived, but when he came into the house and saw the Christmas tree, all stress left him. He was home and it looked homey, warm, and inviting. The Christmas tree gave him solace that everything was right in his world and that he was HOME.
I realized then that a tree will always be waiting for him and us in the future. It is motivation enough.
I was being selfish, thinking that Christmas was a burden or more work than I wanted to do. I couldn't find the magic in it, because things weren't the way they used to be. Beloved was a man, not a baby. Presents weren't a surprised, just things checked off a list he gave me. I didn't want to make the effort.
But Beloved made me realize that the symbols of Christmas were really symbols of hearth and home, of the peace and love that we have shared over the years. He needed that, and I need that too.
Get ready, I'm about to make a New Year's Resolution. Here it is.
I am going to figure out which voice in my head is the most positive and follow it.
I'm going to use the negative sign posts of guilt and burden and figure out what they really mean and instead of hiding from them to power right through them. Because these emotions are trying to tell you something. They are warning signs that your heart, head, and soul are in conflict, that you are not being true to yourself. And when you are not true to yourself, you hurt, you become depressed, you become angry, you make excuses.
I will find my true voice and follow it.
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2 comments:
That was so beautifully said! I love the idea.
I agree with MAW! Nicely put! I need to listen to my true voice and follow it as well. Happy New Year, EB! You're linked!
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