Wednesday, December 30, 2009
New Year's Resolutions
It's getting close to that time when people lay out their ambitious resolutions for the new year. Drink more water. Pay off debt. Eat better and exercise more. Floss your teeth this year. Simplify and reduce stress. Enjoy more quality time with family. Learn to play the guitar by actually practicing the damn thing (that makes sense, right?).
With so many "to do" items, resolutions can be overwhelming. So, scratch the top ten and try for one simple goal instead. Mine is going to be...to love better. I want to love myself better this year and to love my family more sacrificially as well. This includes a host of altruistic resolutions too because it means that I'll nourish myself and others along the way. In my noble pursuit to love better, I'll take time out to rest and to feed my own passions and pursuits, such as music, health, and writing.
It also means that I'll respect and support their ambitions and needs as well. Loving my husband and my kids better includes a whole gamut of kind pursuits: being more patient, less angry, more willing to serve, and more energetic towards their interests. I want to celebrate their dreams by focusing my efforts on their strengths and talents, not necessarily on my hopes and expectations for them.
I want to support my hubby with patience and momentum as he finishes his doctoral dissertation in Philosophy this year. I also intend to compliment his ambition for physical health by joining him this May for his second beach triathlon (I'm ok on the swimming and running part, but not as prepped for the cycling part...any tips?). Likewise, I aim to match my spouse's desire to pay off our financial debts this year. This means sacrifice: hanging on to our older cars, spending less money on things we don't need, and working hard for monetary increases.
With regards to our kids, I seek to love them by respecting their individuality. Though we might see our son as a star athlete, I want to discover what he truly loves. Maybe he will blossom into the next Kurt Warner, but maybe not. So, I intend to observe his talents and to launch him into the right venue: football, baseball, graphic design, or maybe even chess.
Pertaining to our daughters, I don't want to automatically assume that they'll love ballet just because they're girls. Nor should I preclude that they'll advance to fame like Nadia Comaneci if they leap into gymnastics at an early age. I want to teach them to be strong and to love what they enjoy doing!
In addition to extra-curriculars, I want to graciously encourage our kids to thrive academically. In love, I want to demonstrate by example that it's okay to fail. They can be proud of their best, even when the result is less than perfection. By supporting them with our time, they're bound to succeed. And by giving them our acceptance no matter how they perform, they'll likely exceed our highest expectations.
Last but not least, "Mwahhh." I want to serve myself more this year. I'm convinced that as I love myself better, I'll have the energy and resolve to love everyone else more tenaciously as well. So, as I mentioned in the first paragraph, my list of personal pursuits will be long, but in the context of self-love and service. If I can't fit in a date with my tan Silvertone guitar every week, that's alright, but I want to try to improve because music brings me joy.
Likewise, I'm hopeful that my writing pursuits land me a book contract; however, if it takes an extra year beyond this one, I want to love myself with patience and steadfastness along the way. With my goal to finish a triathlon, I want to take it slowly enough to be fair to my body while simultaneously challenging myself to be brave (when you watch the Kona Iron-man competition and see the survivors and the warriors, it makes you feel like you can do anything; at least I have two legs).
So, as you write up your own list of resolutions, remember this: to love yourself and your family. Whatever you do, do it in the context of love and you're bound for success. Share some of your New Year's resolutions here. We'd love to hear from you.
With so many "to do" items, resolutions can be overwhelming. So, scratch the top ten and try for one simple goal instead. Mine is going to be...to love better. I want to love myself better this year and to love my family more sacrificially as well. This includes a host of altruistic resolutions too because it means that I'll nourish myself and others along the way. In my noble pursuit to love better, I'll take time out to rest and to feed my own passions and pursuits, such as music, health, and writing.
It also means that I'll respect and support their ambitions and needs as well. Loving my husband and my kids better includes a whole gamut of kind pursuits: being more patient, less angry, more willing to serve, and more energetic towards their interests. I want to celebrate their dreams by focusing my efforts on their strengths and talents, not necessarily on my hopes and expectations for them.
I want to support my hubby with patience and momentum as he finishes his doctoral dissertation in Philosophy this year. I also intend to compliment his ambition for physical health by joining him this May for his second beach triathlon (I'm ok on the swimming and running part, but not as prepped for the cycling part...any tips?). Likewise, I aim to match my spouse's desire to pay off our financial debts this year. This means sacrifice: hanging on to our older cars, spending less money on things we don't need, and working hard for monetary increases.
With regards to our kids, I seek to love them by respecting their individuality. Though we might see our son as a star athlete, I want to discover what he truly loves. Maybe he will blossom into the next Kurt Warner, but maybe not. So, I intend to observe his talents and to launch him into the right venue: football, baseball, graphic design, or maybe even chess.
Pertaining to our daughters, I don't want to automatically assume that they'll love ballet just because they're girls. Nor should I preclude that they'll advance to fame like Nadia Comaneci if they leap into gymnastics at an early age. I want to teach them to be strong and to love what they enjoy doing!
In addition to extra-curriculars, I want to graciously encourage our kids to thrive academically. In love, I want to demonstrate by example that it's okay to fail. They can be proud of their best, even when the result is less than perfection. By supporting them with our time, they're bound to succeed. And by giving them our acceptance no matter how they perform, they'll likely exceed our highest expectations.
Last but not least, "Mwahhh." I want to serve myself more this year. I'm convinced that as I love myself better, I'll have the energy and resolve to love everyone else more tenaciously as well. So, as I mentioned in the first paragraph, my list of personal pursuits will be long, but in the context of self-love and service. If I can't fit in a date with my tan Silvertone guitar every week, that's alright, but I want to try to improve because music brings me joy.
Likewise, I'm hopeful that my writing pursuits land me a book contract; however, if it takes an extra year beyond this one, I want to love myself with patience and steadfastness along the way. With my goal to finish a triathlon, I want to take it slowly enough to be fair to my body while simultaneously challenging myself to be brave (when you watch the Kona Iron-man competition and see the survivors and the warriors, it makes you feel like you can do anything; at least I have two legs).
So, as you write up your own list of resolutions, remember this: to love yourself and your family. Whatever you do, do it in the context of love and you're bound for success. Share some of your New Year's resolutions here. We'd love to hear from you.
Labels: love, resolutions, tenacity
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Moms Rally
Moms are tough. They don't give up. Even when they're too tired to keep on going, they keep on going. Somehow, they find the strength to clean one more bathroom, to cook one more meal, or to fold one more load of never-ending laundry. When the checkbook's low at the end of the month, moms are especially clever at keeping the boat above water, even with the foggy forecast. Pancakes for dinner anyone? Moms possess a special super-gene that allows them to exhibit tenacity and perseverance even when giving up would be easier.
While at the Wild Animal Park yesterday with my sister, we walked about ten miles with my fully-loaded double stroller. When we took the back-way from the zip-line to the tigers and up to the elephants, I sort of ignored the sign that announced, "Steep slope, not intended for strollers or wheelchairs." We were already so far into our path to see the adorable baby elephants; this Herculean hike up the graveled pathway had to be worth it. My sister couldn't believe I actually made it up the steep incline. You know when you have to lock your elbows to your side and dig for the power in your biceps and calves? You just keep breathing and taking one step at a time. It's the kind of hill where jogging actually makes it easier because it gives you the much needed momentum. You reach the top and you're like "How the he-l did I make it to the top?" The simple answer: Because you totally rock!
But this is the same stubborn personality that allows you and myself to stay up late at night with a sick kid or a sick hubby. It's the same spirit that helps us to suit up and slap on a smile when we actually feel like taking a sick day and staying in bed all morning instead. We're troopers and we're awesome at what we do. Moms hold the weight of the world on their shoulders and then they say "Pass me the salt and pepper" while cooking dinner, paying the bills, helping the kids with their homework, and responding to emails.
If you're a mom, I just want to remind you that you're doing a terrific job. No-one is perfect, so you can't be either. Just remember to pat yourself on the back once in awhile and go for the extra topping on your ice cream sundae or the massage certificate over the holidays. You work so hard and you need to reflect on your awesome accomplishments. You always rally and that makes you a winner! Life is really really really hard. Just the fact that you're reading this blog post means that you're up and charging the day. Keep it up!
Share some of your super-mom accomplishments here. We'd love to celebrate with you!
While at the Wild Animal Park yesterday with my sister, we walked about ten miles with my fully-loaded double stroller. When we took the back-way from the zip-line to the tigers and up to the elephants, I sort of ignored the sign that announced, "Steep slope, not intended for strollers or wheelchairs." We were already so far into our path to see the adorable baby elephants; this Herculean hike up the graveled pathway had to be worth it. My sister couldn't believe I actually made it up the steep incline. You know when you have to lock your elbows to your side and dig for the power in your biceps and calves? You just keep breathing and taking one step at a time. It's the kind of hill where jogging actually makes it easier because it gives you the much needed momentum. You reach the top and you're like "How the he-l did I make it to the top?" The simple answer: Because you totally rock!
But this is the same stubborn personality that allows you and myself to stay up late at night with a sick kid or a sick hubby. It's the same spirit that helps us to suit up and slap on a smile when we actually feel like taking a sick day and staying in bed all morning instead. We're troopers and we're awesome at what we do. Moms hold the weight of the world on their shoulders and then they say "Pass me the salt and pepper" while cooking dinner, paying the bills, helping the kids with their homework, and responding to emails.
If you're a mom, I just want to remind you that you're doing a terrific job. No-one is perfect, so you can't be either. Just remember to pat yourself on the back once in awhile and go for the extra topping on your ice cream sundae or the massage certificate over the holidays. You work so hard and you need to reflect on your awesome accomplishments. You always rally and that makes you a winner! Life is really really really hard. Just the fact that you're reading this blog post means that you're up and charging the day. Keep it up!
Share some of your super-mom accomplishments here. We'd love to celebrate with you!
