Happy New Year to all the mamas and their families. Can you believe it's 2016? I feel like the whole Y2K hoopla wasn't that long ago....but then I just looked at the pictures that Kelly took on Christmas morning and Burkie and I look like old heads! So there's no denying it....I hope you all had a wonderful holiday break - visiting friends and relatives, relaxing and just being. I made a couple more zipper pouches for last minute gifts...
The more you make, the easier they get - honest! Any resolutions? I read this list by Fr. James Martin, SJ online. I printed it and hung it on the fridge...now hopefully, I look at it from time to time and remind myself to use this as a guide....
New Year's Resolutions for Absolutely Everyone
1.) Be Kind. That means...
2.) Always give everyone the benefit of the doubt. After all, why not?
Everyone is carrying around some sort of burden. Usually one that you
don't even know about. So give them a break. Even if they're being
unreasonable....
3.) Especially
when you're talking about them with someone else. Honor the absent, as
the saying goes. Spiritually speaking, it's essential. It's part of
charity. Practically speaking, it makes sense too. Why? First,
because you'll feel crummy about yourself afterwards. Second, because
the person you're complaining to will probably see you as negative.
Finally, it will inevitably get back to them. More to the point, it's
mean.
4.) Don't be a jerk. There is simply no need to be. At
all. Zero. Just because you're having a rotten day doesn't mean you
have to pass it along your misery to someone else. It's important to
share your struggles with friends. Essential. But being in a bad mood
is no excuse to be a jerk. If you feel your moving into that territory,
ask yourself a simple question, "Am I being a jerk?" If you're
somehow unable to discern that, the look on other people's faces will
tell you.
5.) Give a call, pay a visit, or send a note to
someone who is sick, lonely, struggling. It will cost you nothing, but
will mean everything to them. Think of how you feel when someone
reaches out.
6.) Release yourself from that grudge. In other
words, forgive. It's ridiculous to hold onto things for so long. It
eats away at you like a cancer, and it poisons the other person's life.
It also, most likely, serves to turn them against you even more. You
think you are justified in being mad? You probably are. People can be
jerks. But there are probably people justified in holding a grudge
against you, too. So just let it go.
7.) Stop being so
sarcastic. A little of that goes too far. You may think you're being
Oscar Wilde, but you're often just being mean. Sarcasm can be an
effective antidote to pomposity, but sometimes it's just cruel.
8.) Listen patiently to someone who is long-winded, or boring, or,
especially. complaining. They're usually insecure, lonely or in pain.
Your listening is a gift to them. It may mean that you're the only
person they have to talk to. Yes, it's hard. But God sees what you're
doing. And, after all, people have to listen to you.
9.) Help
someone who is really needy. A homeless person. A poor person. A
refugee. A sick person. A grieving person. It's not hard to figure
out how to do it. And if you don't know anyone like that, write a
check. That's not so hard either. Helping doesn't require an advanced
degree.
10.) Be kind. Did I mention that? It bears repeating,
because if you are kind, then you'll make a lot of people happy in the
New Year. Yourself too. And God.
Wishing you peace....
