I quit making New Year’s Resolutions many years again. I either forgot them or my efforts got sabotaged by the circumstances of my life. Bottom line was I usually ended up feeling guilty. And who needs that?
I do, however, choose a theme for each year. Some examples of past years have been Survival, Contentment, and Perseverance—and yes, the last three years have been somewhat challenging. But I survived, persevered, and am more content with where I am in my life. Many years were fun and themes ranged from Gourmet Cooking, Writing, to Traveling! Broad goals, whatever I accomplished made me feel good!
This year at the beginning of 2015, I’ve been saying the usual Happy New Year to everyone I’ve talked to. Now, my mind has gone off on a rabbit trail named Happy, and I’m wondering how many of us really pay attention to the words or has it just become like a Hello, how are you comment?
I wish you a Happy New Year—what that actually means is I am wishing your life to be content, glad, joyful, cheery, favorable, satisfied, and filled with pleasure. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we were all a little happier?
I do recognize there are lots of problems in this world today, but I also know that in America we have the greatest freedom of any other place in the world. I know that many of us have circumstances that are drastic, but there are things in life that can bring us joy and pleasure.
Glorious things—like watching a sunrise or sunset, drinking that first cup of coffee or tea in the morning, looking at a child’s laughing face, seeing the miracle of a newborn baby, listening to the patter of rain, or watching the first flowers of spring burst forth. Life’s filled with all sorts of opportunities, such as not looking back and saying “what if,” but letting the past stay in the past. Concentrating on where we can find the happy in our lives might surprise us. And there’s a bonus, if today is happy—yesterday will also become happy. It works that way!
There’s a verse in the Bible that tells us to think on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, or admirable; if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things. Philippians 4:8.
It’s a choice and a mindset.
I’m looking forward to whatever surprises are in store for me in 2015!
So my New Year’s theme is — Look for the Happy.
Betty Kerss Groezinger 
Hi Betty,
As one of your testers, I am attempting to post a reply to your entry. For 2015, I made a motto: “Get ‘er clean in 2015.” To do that, I am doing one thing each day — taking a small bag and filling it with items to give away. I plan to do this 365 times this year, and see how much “cleaner” my home becomes. Years have left my house very cluttery, so this is my main resolution this year. I have two more — the others are to read a chapter in the Bible each day, and study Spanish each day. That’s it! Now, let me hit “post” and see if it works!!
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I love the idea of one small bag! I so need to do that too! Thanks for the great idea!
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Thanks! Yes, one of my bags only had 3 things in it, but they went to Goodwill. I put the sacks by the back door, and took the first 6 days all at once. I start over today, finding a few items for Day 7. It’s really fun, like a treasure hunt!
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