Embracing the New Year

New Year resolutions. Some people shudder at the thought, others simply laugh.

Either way, I believe it’s nice to reflect on the year before and what you would like out of the year ahead.

New Year resolutions are usually the things that need to happen when you are actually ready to make them happen. Not when you feel pressured to make goals at the start of the year.

So instead of making resolutions for an entire year, how about trying them for a month?

Just thirty days.

I have learnt that if everyone makes small, sustainable actions change can happen.

Whether it’s working towards an end to extreme poverty or to learn something new, it is achievable with small and manageable steps.

So this year I am making some overall promises to myself as well as challenging myself for the month of January.

For January, I challenge myself to:

·         Play flute for at least twenty minutes each day;

·         To find two journal articles for my honours literature review each day; and,

·         To write down something that I am grateful for each day.

For me this year, I shall:

·         Continue adding leaves to the Peace Tree;

·         Continue to live a vegetarian lifestyle at least three days a week;

·         Dedicate Sunday nights to family games night and Fridays to just chilling with my friends;

·         Take up singing lessons again;

·         Continue to dedicate the 20th of each month to classics such as poetry, literature and film;

·         Get my licence;

·         Embrace the world of Medimime again; and,

·         To learn to say no. This will be my toughest one for the year as I believe life is there to be lived and I find it incredibly difficult to say no to such good causes out there. However, for my sanity during this final year of uni (and my family’s sanity) I will need to learn to say no to some things this year.

Overall, I hope that this year shall bring peace and love, friendships and family, hugs and laughter. You don’t need to make a resolution for that.

Peace to you all.

Highlights of a Beautiful Year

I have found that with each year that passes we will always have our ups and downs. 2011 has been no different but “with each new day comes new strength and new thoughts”.

Overall, I have found that this year has been one where I have shared in many celebrations with friends and family and have continually stepped out of my comfort zone.

It has been a year of spreading the MakePovertyHistory message...

...of refugee rights campaigns...

...and of working with the amazing Geelong Young Vinnies group.

It has been a year that was Grinchified with tinsel pom poms and many other outrageous Whoville costumes.

A year where some of my dearest friends completed their Year 12 or graduated from university and a year spent tutoring three beautiful children with one of my good friends.

A year of celebrations with twenty-firsts, eighteenths and a gorgeous wedding.

A year where two of my Clonard sisters were each proposed to in the most romantic of ways.

A year with the arrival of a beautiful child and announcements of more tiny feet to arrive next year.

It was also a year that saw Chris receive the Karingal Young Achiever of the Year Award, I chaired a session at the Australasian Pacific Play Therapy Conference and was accepted into honours for occupational therapy.

So as my family gather around our peace tree to play games, sing and welcome in the New Year, I wish you all a wonderful 2012 filled with family, friends, love and laughter.

Peace and love to you all.