“Yes”

Isn’t this lovely? Words of wisdom from my 20 year-old.

I’ve been mulling things over the last few days; trying to decide what sorts of resolutions  I might make for the new year.  I was trying to boil it down to one word.  I mean the obvious issue that comes up around here is  organization.  Steve got me a kindle fire for my birthday.  I have been slowly downloading apps that I think will be useful.  I am quite optimistic about the Cozi App. I started a new google reader account so I can try to keep up on all my favorite blogs.

Honestly other than being over booked and pulled fifty ways,  I am pretty on top of things. Really, I am.  Some of the things that throw me off can’t be helped.  For example,  I never know when my husband will suddenly be sent off on some sort of  two or three week business trip, turning our schedule upside down.  Likewise,  kids need rides.  That’s part of being a parent.  Mine try the best they can to get around on their own, but buses come too early,  or  too late.    Unfortunately another sad truth is that people will take advantage if you let them and forget that you are a real person.     There is nothing you can do to help those sorts of things.  You can only choose how you handle it.

I started thinking that what I  need to learn to do is to say “no” and let go of the guilt I feel for doing so.   I need to respect myself enough to value my time.    I realize that there are a few  things I needed to cut loose  and I am doing it.   I desperately need  to learn not to bite off more than I can chew.

Over the holiday season,  I quit worrying about people I should do things for and did things for people who would actually appreciate them.      I found that in saying “no” to things I thought I should do,  I was saying “yes” to being able to do things I wanted to do.    So instead of spouting resolutions, or listing off the things I need to say “no” to,   I made a list of the things that I love.

• I love my husband- the best part of my day is talking to him while he makes dinner. I miss him when he is gone and that shouldn’t make me cranky with him when he is here.
• I love my family.   I’ve been more than a bit short and snappy lately, due. If this year taught me nothing else it is, unfortunately, that the love of a family is NOT unconditional.
• I love my friends -near and far- and I want to spend more time doing things to make them smile.
• I love reading about, writing about  and learning about herbalism.
• I love teaching about herbalism.   I have great students!
• I love homeschooling my boys – really it is a lot of work, but we have a lot of fun.
• I love gardening and teaching people how to be self-reliant.
• I love being outdoors.
• I love making my concoctions and sharing them with people.
• I love my Irish Dancing, English Country dancing and making music.
• I really kind of love the SCA.
• I love finishing Pinterest projects.
• I love making toys.

So there you have it.  You may find it shallow, but those are the things I am going to say “yes” to this year.  And I am going to say “yes” to them with wild abandon.   I refuse to worry about what I ‘should’ be doing or what ‘needs’ to be done.    What are you saying “yes’ to in 2013.   I’d really like to hear from you.