I feel pretty much like this! Our wood stove has been roaring toasty warm, and I can’t even twist my own arm to want to leave the house for any reason at all. More hand quilting on the couch, more watching episodes of Bones on netflix, more SADIE stretched out in front of the wood stove in a bliss of heat. She hasn't left her spot in front of the fireplace all week! ((I haven't much, either for that matter!))
It’s nasty out there. It’s cold and icy and the snow has not decided to leave the ground yet. I’m typing with fingerless gloves on in the basement to get this written! It’s cold outside, and it’s cold down here! ((Which is why I’ve enjoyed my evenings up on the couch so much!!))
Yes, I can put a fire in the wood stove down here too, and I will – I will – When I decide I want to stay down here long enough to enjoy the whole fire, not just part of it. Like TOMORROW – When Lisa is coming to work on some silk tie quilts! Poor Karen, she is being drug to the beach house with her family, no sew day for her! Next time Karen!
This time of the year is great for reflection. I have SO MUCH to be thankful for! And I am absorbed in thoughts of gratitude.
I’m also realizing that I have learned so much this year. I’ve grown a thicker skin!
This is a good thing, especially when I become more and more aware that I can’t please all the people all the time, and I am focusing my life on being more genuinely ME than I am trying to be what people want so they will like me. Does that make sense?
I have learned that I can’t control another person’s behavior or to make them feel what they are incapable of.
I want to live in the NOW instead of pushing it all to SOME DAY I MIGHT.
As far as resolutions go? Those might help some people, but the one thing I really want to work on is just being more AWARE of what is going on around me. Every day counts. Every moment counts. Don’t just go through the motions.
Since losing my Grandpa in June, since my online friend took her life in October, since another friend’s cousin lost one of their 13 yr old twins in a senseless car crash the weekend after Thanksgiving, I am just more aware of how short this life is.
This year, 2011, I will be practicing the ABC’s of Genuine Happiness! I hope you will join me.
So we count down to 2011!
- Friday! Part #7 of the MYSTERY! Yeah!
- Saturday! Pre-orders for Scraps & Shirttails II and Word Play Quilts go live!
And we set our hopes on 2011 to be the BEST YEAR YET!
18 comments:
Bonnie, I love this post! I couldn't have said it better! Time is short & we need to be who we are not try to be who people want us to be! Thanks for the reminder. I love your ABC's of happiness! Blessings to you and your family, and I look forward to meeting YOU in January!
Arlene
Love the ABC's of happiness. I think you have set some great goals for 2011. On the ABC's list Q should say take time to Quilt. Happy New Year to you and your Loved Ones!
I'm with you. I've been through a lot in the past 4 years. I've made the decision to try to live more in the present and be present for all whom I love. I've also had to form a thicker skin. I'm getting better at it all the time. I'm at the point you either except me as I am or you don't. I will be true to myself.
Your post was so inspirational for me, Bonnie. I know about that thick skin bit. It is tough getting toughened up, isn't it? I am looking forward to more online time with you in 2011. Thank you again for all you do for us in the quilting community. You give so much!!!
That about sums up the only goal worth setting and you have stated it so well. I'm right there with you, Bonnie.
Great ABCs. Thanks for all you do and all you give to the quilters you contact through personal visits and online activities. You rock!!!
Bonnie, you'll never be able to please everyone else all the time. Thanks for all that you do (gotta start Roll Roll this week)! Dori
Hope you can share pic of your friend's tie project. Have some that I need to do something with.
Glad to have you here!
I love the ABC's. I just printed out my own copy and I'm seriously thinking of have it tattooed to my arm! We all could learn something from this list. Thank you for sharing it.
Great post. I lost my mom Feb. of this year and my best friend suddenly in September. Cici lived your ABCs every day. It has really made me aware of time and making the best of what we have.
Yep! I like to Go with the Flow, but be able to guide my own canoe down different streams as they come up....
...and I don't even own a canoe...where did that come from????
Thanks Bonnie, for the musings....
A good friend has a saying about people that applies to most people sometimes (and some people most of the time)... "You couldn't please him/her with a pleasin' machine!"
(not sure what a pleasin machine is but figure if THAT won't work, nothing will!)
Looking forward to tomorrow!!!
I would love to join you in the ABCs of Genuine Happiness. My 22 year old stepson ended his life last week, so I'm ready to "Accept reality."
Bravo Bonnie, I couldn't agree with you more.
We are each responsible for our own happiness, and I'm all for making a big effort in 2011 to make it a reality. I'll be right by you being happy.
*hugs*
Tazzie
:-)
What great inspiration, Bonnie! I wish you happiness in 2011. Thanks for all the patterns and tips you provide throughout the year. Enjoy each day!
I especially like your comment about being YOU, and not what everyone else thinks you should be. Ever since I passed the big 5-0 I've thought more about being ME and worried less about what others think. And, I've been spending more time (and enjoying) my moral obligations more. Why did I "wait" until I turned 50 to develop that???
Bonnie, I so love that you are figuring out that the more you pay attention to yourself and what makes you...well, you!...is the most important job you could take on.
Love your blog, and thank you for sharing your time and your insights.
Hugs to you,
Connie - Boise, ID
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