A family from Denmark recently moved onto my street. A couple of weeks ago, they strung up white Christmas lights along the eaves of the house and, to my surprise, have kept those lights illuminated all night, night after night.I don't know whether that's a Danish tradition—to make bright in a winter of short days and long nights--or a far-from-home family's way to cope with a new country and city. Either way, I've enjoyed the glow.
In 2012, I crave light. How am I going to get it? I'll burn gift candles rather than save them for special occasions. I'll turn on the porch light a little earlier and keep my desk lamp on a bit longer. I'm not advocating we waste electricity but want a beacon to guide me and a nightlight for security in this as-yet-unfamilar year.
More importantly, I'll pay attention to the people of bright hearts and minds who prod me to appreciate, think, and re-evaluate. Some recent blog posts stand out for me.
Before we flap our mouths, wave our hands, and make resolutions we'll accomplish reluctantly--if at all, writer and therapist Louise Behiel suggests we ask ourselves ten questions. They're the kind we usually don't face unless it's three in the morning and sleep's impossible. Here's her number eight: "What am I afraid of?" Her number nine: "What am I afraid of losing?" Number ten: "What am I afraid of gaining? What happens if my deepest desires become true? What will it cost me?" Save yourself big bucks in therapy and read Louise's post.
Emma Burcart made only one resolution for 2012, and it's one we should copy: she's going to be kinder—to herself. (Why, oh why are we women so merciless to ourselves?) Here's part of Emma's new vow: "I’m going to be like that great line from Jackie on That Seventies Show. I’m going to run down the beach into my own arms. Figuratively."
From Diane Holmes, founder of Pitch University, comes a New Year's Resolution for those of us who do not remember 2011 fondly.
In an example of the universe's synchronicity, yesterday, Jink Willis posted this quote by Susan Skye on Facebook: "You can't punish yourself into change. You can't whip yourself into shape. But you can love yourself into well-being."
Happy New Year!
20 comments:
What a great post! I love the idea of finding light for yourself this year. For me it's going to be sunshine and heat! Thanks for the shout-out about my resolution post. I'm glad you liked it. Somehow I missed Louise's post and it sounds like something I really want to read, so thanks for posting that, too. Keep your light shining in 2012!
Wow!! Thank you Pat for appreciating my post! Your light is eternal and I see it in your *words*! I have enjoyed READING, WRITING AND RAMBLING a lot...I receive it by e-mail! Happy New Year, friend!
Thanks so much for sharing this wisdom, Pat! Being kinder to myself was my resolution this year, too.
Happy New Year to you!
What a beautiful post. Thank you for including me, and introducing me to beautiful resources as well.
What a wonderful post, Pat. I love the links you shared. I'm going to sit down and work on Louise's questions later today. My heart goes out to Diane who has always been an enthusiastic cheerleader for other writers--I hope she regains her health n 2012!
The idea of seeking light is inspiring. Can I borrow that resolution? :-)
Hi, Emma,
I loved your post and hope you get the sunshine and heat. (I'd give you Houston's summer heat if I could.)
Happy New Year to you, too, Jink! I so enjoy the photos of angel atatues and the quotes and thoughts you post on FB.
Colleen, you're so kind to others, it's about time you lavished sweetness on yourself. Happy New Year to you, too.
Diane, I could kick myself for not knowing what you were going through. Your essay shines with thoughtfulness, resiliency, and defiance--an excellent combination for battling health problems. You and Pitch University are survivors.
Yes, Lark, let's seek light--in a dozen different forms--in 2012.
Thanks for sharing these, Pat! I've gotten way behind on my blog reading - thanks for sharing this, and for pointing me toward these from our WANA friends that I otherwise wouldn't have seen yet!
Pat, thanks so much for including these questions from my post. they've always helped me as I start a new year. I love the idea of increasing your light. I live in Calgary (think north and dark by 5PM. I leave the house in the dark and it's mostly dark by the time I get home. so extra light is a great idea.
Happy new Year
Hi, Jennette,
I missed a lot of WANA posts between Christmas and New Year's but am glad I caught Louise's and Emma's. Thanks for stopping by.
Happy New Year to you, too, Louise. Thanks for asking hard questions and prodding the rest of us to do the same.
Great post, Pat, and thanks for the links!
P.S. When my husband is traveling I keep the Christmas lights on all night. I thinks it's cheery and welcoming for late nighters- early morning joggers.
Hi, Sarah,
Thanks for keeping your Christmas lights on overnight. I'm sure the early-morning joggers appreciated them. My Danish neighbors took their lights down yesterday. This morning, I awakened at two-thirty, peeked outside, and missed the glow. Re decorating for joggers: someone (or someones) decorated a couple of trees along the trail in Terry Hershey Park.
"Once in a while you get shown the light/In the strangest of places if you look at it right/"
Happy New Year!
Looking toward the brightness/light is a fantastic idea!
And of course I agree with you and Emma--that it's far easier to be kinder to others. Thanks for another great post Pat!
I like that quote, a rose. My point, exactly.
Thank YOU, Coleen. You make blogging look easy.
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