It's 2006

It's a new year and I believe that blogging protocols require that we bloggers pay some attention to this fact. There are several standard formats for this: 1) A retrospective of the previous year, 2) Resolutions for the new year, 3) Top ten lists of events or the like from the previous year reflecting rage, stupidity, hilarity, or fabulousness, 4) Predictions for the new year, 5) General summary of the way too cool and rockin' party which culminated in a really hot kiss on the stroke of midnight, or 6) Whining about feelings of loneliness and the lack of a really hot midnight kiss with expressions of regret or self-loathing.

In reviewing this list, I consider what I'm thinking about at this moment and find that I'm not fitting any form particularly well. I am thinking primarily about plans, which I suppose are not far from resolutions, but somehow feel not quite the same. I'm not interested in setting myself up for self-flagellation or feelings of failure if I don't achieve my plans. I'm looking to create a map, something on which I can always find my way again if I get distracted and start wandering (I prefer that terminology over "lost"). Wandering is a way of life for me and I don't see that changing anytime soon.

Enough pre-amble. Now for content:

I am thinking that this will be a year in which I'll try to re-connect and strengthen my bond with friends, in which I will consciously try to do things that make me happy and grounded, and in which I will spend more time thinking about just how lucky I am. I spent much of 2005 feeling isolated and dwelt on things that were gone, which (if you kept up with what was happening in my world) was not an unreasonable reaction, but not one which was fun or particularly good for me. So if you're a friend of mine, feel free to hold me to writing and calling more often and to going out dancing, climbing, chatting, biking, cooking, hiking or whatever else it is that you think you and I might enjoy doing together. (I wouldn't turn down a hot kiss either). Together is a key word for me this year. You might also experience more "thank you's" from me for random things, and know that I'm thinking about that more often.

As for feeling lucky, I always do, even when I'm down. I'm a lucky girl. I'm just going to do that more consciously now.

What brought this on? Well it's not some new-age realization as much as exhaustion. Most of the time I'm a pretty happy gal and for over 5 months now I've just been not me. I'm tired and I need to turn it around. You all know that I'm an action gal so now you also know I have some kind of plan.

When was the last time you took stock of the good things in your life? What would happen if every time you complained about something or felt treated unfairly that you tried to spend an equal amount of time thinking about something good? It really could be anything as far as I'm concerned. I was happy this morning for getting a yummy breakfast and then having time to take a nice long hot shower. How about you?