A News Years Wish

Trying to find inspiration for a New Years wish is not easy. Where does one go for that those illusive words that will give people hope when war we are still at war, when friends are getting divorced, when you are starting a job that is just a placeholder for what you really want to do in life, and there is so much uncertainty. I think that the writings of Pema Chodron is always a good place to go for inspiration. Pema Chodron reminds us that the ground is always shaky. We are constantly searching for the firm, stable place that in reality does not exist. Things are constantly changing. I don't know who said it, but the only thing that is constant is change.

In my women's group we alway talk about living in the moment. This makes the most sense of all when you really think about it. We can make all the News Year Resolutions we want, but likely we will go off that diet, stop exercising, stop meditating, and just plain not doing what we set out to do because life is always throwing us a curve ball. And we just get too dang busy.

So for this New Year try to love the life you have, plan for the future but don't expect it to turn out as you expect, be joyful whenever you can, and relish the happy surprises that come your way.

Happy New Year to all!

Volunteering vs. Taking Care of Ourselves

Ok...so today is Christmas...with no family in town I'm relying on my friends to get me through the holiday. I could be serving food in a soup kitchen but I just never seem to get around to making that commitment. If I had kids that would seem like the perfect opportunity to show them how lucky they are. But since I don't (have kids) and I know it's rough out there I'm choosing to spend it on myself. Today is a day to clean, get organized for the New Year, talk to old friends, catch up on sleep, go to a movie, and out for Chinese.

But back to the helping out part. I do think it's important. Being Jewish I believe wholeheartly in doing mitzvahs. But I do think they need to come from your heart and not just out of obligation. And if I think back over the year I can recall the special things I've done for others. I've been volunteering at the Washington State Holocaust Education Resource Center, tutoring a friends children, helping out a friend in need and doing small things here and there when I can. Perhaps I should make one commitment to an organization; that might feel more productive and less scattered. But it's just not where I am right now.

I think we need to look at our lives and determine how we are doing first and then how much of our energy can we realistically contribute to the world. We can overextend ourselves, burn ourselves out, and then no one benefits.

Being mindful of our needs, taking care of those needs and then thinking of one effort that will make a difference would be a good New Years Resolution. Think about it!