Friday 30 December 2011

Wishing, and hoping, and thinking, and praying



So 2011 has passed uneventfully. I say this touching wood, there is still 24 hours left for something momentous to happen *cough* lottery win *cough*.

Nope, unlike the past 5 years, we've had no pregnancies, births, medical emergencies,new homes, marriages or life-changing work opportunities. To be honest, after the whirlwind that was 2006-10 it's been nice to sit back, take a breather and enjoy the fruits of our labour (quite literally after giving birth to 2 babies in that time).

I don't make resolutions. Instead, I begin each year with hopes, aspirations and wishes for the coming 12 months. They don't always materialise and I sometimes lose sight of my initial new year motivation but I try to stay mindful of what I am aiming for throughout the year.

Here is my wish list for 2012:

1. I hope to find the strength to be more patient with my children. They are 2 and 3 and we certainly have our ups and downs, what parent of pre-school children doesn't, right? I accept the challenges won't be any less, um, challenging but I will try to handle them better. I will be more patient, less shouty, spend more quality time with them and above all, let them be kids. I often forget they're just doing what kids do and as long as they have their boundaries, are safe and respectful, then that's ok. Oh, and thanks to Charlotte for the book recommendation, it'll be a Godsend, I'm sure.

2. I will put more time aside for my friends. I've let friendships slip over the years and I need to spend time nurturing those friendships to keep important people in my life. I miss my old girl friends, friends from way back who knew me before all this grown up stuff got in the way.

3. 2012 will be a turning point for the business. 2011 was an amazing year, one which saw us take on staff and having an offer accepted to buy the space we rent. I will work hard to build on this, grab new opportunities and make the business work for us, freeing us up to work less-crippling hours and spend more time enjoying the family.

4. I will be healthier. I know, right? Probably the most predictable. This time though, it's different. Less gym, more activity. I'll spend more time on my bike, get back into running after my 7-month hiatus and now the boys are older, enjoy longer, more regular walks.

Wow, there's loads more I should be aiming for but for fear of setting myself up for failure, I'll concentrate on these four. How about you-do you make resolutions? What are your aims for 2012?

2 comments:

  1. I read the book about Buddhism and Mothers while I was pregnant and it felt like such a big help. Lovely post.

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  2. [...] listed my aims for the year earlier this week and included a goal to be more active with this in mind. Joanna had [...]

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