Rolling into 2014 not with a roar, but with a constant cough has helped put my life and priorities into perspective. But the cough alone wasn’t strong enough to help me see through the layers of confusion I’d built up around me. No, it took something much more serious. A full month of illness, an illness I am still fighting to best. Now that did the trick.
When our routine takes such a toll on the body that it gives in to exhaustion and stress to the extreme degree, well…you have to figure you’re doing something wrong. And clearly I was. I had a lot on my plate and I was trying to do it all. Be it all. I wanted to be super mom at home and wonder woman as I plunged forward into my career. I still think it’s doable, just not the way I was doing it. As a result, December became a huge wake up call for me.
When you’re doing things wrong, do you continue along that same path, hoping things will sort themselves out? Eh. Not the smartest approach. I was being given a clear swift kick in the *hot pants*. It’s time for a change. I don’t mean think or talk about it. Time for action is upon me. My body demands it.
Deep down inside we all know the truth. It’s choosing to walk the proper path that’s not so easy. It may go against what society tells us, or what your partner whispers in your ear, or even what the boss demands of you. Life is too short to waste it away stressed out, unhealthy, and unhappy.
Make a 2014 resolution to take care of you and the rest will find its place. That’s what I’m doing. This year is going to be extraordinary! And it will all start right here, with me.
How exactly does the resolution play out? It works a little something like this:
Eat right, exercise, get proper sleep, and enjoy friends and family.
Result = a healthier, more alert, functioning mind.
*The better to accomplish your goals!
Then (in my case) WRITE! Write my heart out. It may not be on this blog (posts may occur less frequently), but writing often and with passion on projects of importance is the key.
Research (Need to make those stories believable)
and
Branch out – That’s where the love and friendships blossom.
2014 is the year.
The year I have my priorities straightened out.
And the year the ball starts rolling!
2013 saw my stable of friends and relationships grow, my talent expand, my blog move to its own private domain, and Thor take off on his world tour. I’m excited for the changes ahead and what 2014 holds in store. What say you?
Speaking of Thor, he checked in on New Years from all the way across the globe where the talented Natalie G. Owens is hosting him. So fun is her post. I invite you to swing by and check in on them both. Leave a lovely comment while you’re there.
Watch out: Norse god will eat you out of house and home!
Happy New Year, friends! What do you see 2014 bringing your way?
.☆¨¯`*★。。☆¯`*★….☆¨¯`*★。。☆¯`*★….☆¨¯`*★。。☆¯`*★….☆¨¯`*★。。☆¯`*★….☆¨¯`*★。
My goodness, December sounds icky. So glad you rose above and beat the evilness lurking inside.
I sincerely hope that 2014 is your year Debra. You’ve got the right attitude and perspective now let’s keep that ball rollin’.
Happy new year, happy writing, and happy good health!
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
Here’s to a much gentler, kinder, healthier, and more productive 2014! You ARE that super mom and wonder woman!
Thanks for all your support this last year. I’m so glad to have met you (in person, even!). Looking forward to reading your work!
HUGS!
UGH! So sorry to see you were sick all through December! Hope you’re feeling better now. It’s amazing, how much of that stress we bring on ourselves, with too-aggressive goals, wanting to do everything, be everything, for everybody. Best wishes to you in sorting out the things that really matter to you and those you love, and those you only thought mattered – and here’s to a great 2014!
What a rough way to spend December! Hope you’re feeling better now. I like your positive attitude and plans for 2014. May this year be a wonderful one of health and happiness for you!
I’m glad you’re getting better, but will be celebrating with you when that rotten virus (or whatever it is) is gone. I’m also glad I saw you had a new post up. You have some great goals…and I think I’m going to have to take a page out of your book. When I set my 2014 work goals, my jaw dropped at what I’d like to get done. After being reminded of YOUR experience, I’m going to have to reevaluate them.
Keep doing whatever you have to do in order to be healthy…and then keep reminding us all what could happen if we don’t learn to slow down and take control of our time. 🙂
So sorry to hear you’ve been under the weather. I’ve wondered where you were. Hope you and your household are all up and at ’em, full steam ahead, soon. May this New Year bring you joy and lots of good things. 🙂
Look after yourself, Debra. Happy New Year.
I so hear you on this! I had an overly packed December, which followed on about 7 years of overly packed days. I think that is a lot of what led my allergies to get out of control. I am now having to take a step back and make sure I rest in order to get back to my normal self. Thank goodness I quit my job so I have time to do most of the things I want to do now. Along with being a full time student and writer, of course. 🙂 Thanks for reminding us we all need a break.
Oh, what an unpleasant wake-up call. (Are they ever pleasant?) I’m so sorry you’ve been so sick. I love that your top ‘resolutions’ are all health and wellness related. You can’t do the rest of the stuff until you take care of YOU!! Here’s a great 2014!
Well, Debra, I have spent a lot of time this morning thinking on change and what it needs to mean to me. I read a post that concerned itself with an idea: “Marriage isn’t for You”
I read it because it had 26,000,000 hits! When I finished I said to myself “couldn’t you do that?”. The answer is, “yes, I could.” Then I started thinking about what one post getting 10 million hits in one day would mean – trouble. I decided that my little blog world is fine with me. I think we agree on some things: work and enjoy – balance. Scott
Ooh goodness Deborah, I am so sorry that you’ve been sick. Why is it that just when we think we’ve got everything under control in our life, it all falls apart? And then when we get sick we fall so behind. I think we all play the fall behind and catch up game. It’s a rollercoaster, isn’t it? Well, this is a good time to set priorities. I think we are all doing that. And I think that it’s important that we do this throughout the year, not just on Jan. 1st because our life changes so fast all the time. I’m sending you virtual chicken soup and germ free hugs! Be well my dear wana friend! 🙂
I think you always have a full plate, Debra. It’s hard to do extra stuff while raising a family. I hope you’re feeling much better. I didn’t blog for four months. Something had to give, and it was blogging. Now I’m back at it, but will play it by ear each week.
I’ve been sick the past week and a half with a cold and cough. The cough is way better, but the cold went into a sinus infections. My doctor is overloaded with patients. The receptionist said it hasn’t been this bad in ten years. So I hope they can work me in soon. I’m not up to sitting in urgent care for hours.
Tomorrow it’s back to watching the grand babies. Boy, I sure have missed them. George will help me. Just don’t have the strength to do it myself. Hope to be in bed by 8:00. Nothing like a good night’s sleep. Hope you’re getting all the rest you need. Take care of yourself. Tell the family I said hello!