Well….364 days later and I’m sharing with you only my second blog post – LOL! It’s been a busy year my friends…so welcome and Happy New Year 2018!

Do you ever wonder what your life would be like if the events that took place in the days and months leading up to the end of the year would have been just a little (or a lot) different? Do you dwell on what could have been versus embrace what IS and what will BE?  It’s so easy to do, trust me I KNOW.  Even when times are good, do you find yourself wanting more? And for the times that are less joyous, more stressful, more emotionally draining do you search for answers and ask, Why me? Why my family? Why now? Well, I know we have all been there and I gotta tell ya, I do all of the above way more often than I should. I try so hard to embrace the good and accept the not so good but so many times I find myself in an emotional rollercoaster, either selfishly expecting more of the good or feeling sorry for myself and wasting time dwelling on questions that simply don’t need to be answered [at the moment] during times of sorrow, stress or strain.  It’s not to say that when we are experiencing a not so good period in our lives or when the forward looking path isn’t inviting that we should just pick ourselves up, accept and move on….but rather differentiate the good from the bad in our situation and try to work on finding a way for all of our good to overpower all of our bad. Not an easy task my friends no matter how many times you stumble and fall or push-on to get to the other side, it’s always a challenge.   

I’m a true believer in the power of prayer and even through my toughest days I have always believed in HIM and trusted in HIM.  I feel like a broken record the past couple of years, because my family and I are going through that cycle of life that is, shall we say, not so much fun….aging parents, family funerals are out numbering weddings and baby showers, our kids are getting older and life in general just seems to be more complicated these days. But with all of the challenges and complications, one thing is consistent and certain and that is FAMILY (immediate, extended and friends who are considered family) and I feel extremely blessed to have an amazing family (you all – know who you are).  So, as I began to think about my focus for the coming year, I decided, I definitely need to continue to live-in-the-moment (my 2017 new year’s resolution) but I also need to express my gratitude for all that HE has given to me. Life moves at the speed of light and although I try to be present and feel the moments, I’m not so sure I’m always appreciative and making the most of those moments. So, in a purposeful order, my resolutions for 2018 are simply to:

1. Be more grateful

2. Embrace what is and accept what isn’t

3. Reflect and tweak often

I’m excited to begin this new year and because of some unplanned circumstances that occurred in 2017, I know I will need to hold on tight and stay the course in order to get the most out of the coming year. I’m looking forward to seeing what 2018 has in store for me and my family, but more importantly I’m excited to resolute!

I promised in my first post that I would focus more on YOU instead of always talking about myself.  So, as I share some of my personal struggles and situations to kick-off the new year, I’d like to ask YOU to share your new year’s resolutions. Are you excited for the new beginning or sad that another year has passed? Do you have something exciting planned (e.g. special event, family vacation) for the new year or just enjoying life as it comes? Let’s get to know each other a little bit so we can help each other achieve our goals and practice our resolutions.

Cheers and hugs to all of you! 2018 will be your best year yet!

Jen