Settling in to New Year
As we’ve begun a new week and the first full “work week” for many of 2014, I’ve been getting settled in for the New Year. Unlike other new year’s, this one has started out differently. Be it that I am older and wiser or that there are so many opportunities out there I find myself beginning to live for today while looking ahead toward the future.
As everyone knows this is one of if not the coldest start to a year that we here in the South have ever seen. I’ve seen more pictures of single digit temperatures than I have in my lifetime and I heard on the radio yesterday that those under the age of 40 have never experienced temperatures this low in Georgia. With the single digit numbers and the forceful winds the outside temperature feels like (-) negative some degree.
Daily I think about how cold it is outside and how much my utility bill is going to be in the coming months as I live in the city of Monticello in a 100+ year old home. That takes some planning for the future.
I also have an alternate view of being grateful that I have a home that is comfortable and has heat. I cannot imagine living outside in these conditions. So I guess the cost of living in a heated house is worth the price.
In looking ahead for the year I see that my weekly routine needs some improvement. I work a lot of hours weekly, and I am blessed with a paycheck that allows me to go out socially when I am not working.
I like the routine I have for staying home most evenings and being in bed at a particular time. I also like having the means to get up and go whenever I want.
I need to work on some things this year as well. I need to do some “soul searching” as my mom would say and figure out what I want out of life. You see I tend to be good at a lot of different things and I thrive on making people happy and working with and around numerous people each day.
What I haven’t found is that something that I look forward to each day. I do have one or two days a week where I cannot wait to start the day but I am looking to improve that to more than two days a week.
I want to train myself to get out and exercise more…much like many people vow to do at the beginning of a new year. I also know that it has to be more your will to get up and do more than the calendar telling you to. I also know what a good excuse the cold weather can be to not get out and exercise here on the sixth day of January…
What I can say is that 2014 has come as each year does. I have made some great strides since my column at the beginning of 2013 in both my personal and professional life. I know that a new year brings new opportunities, if only you seek them. Otherwise, it’s just 2013 continuing on.
So strive to change something in 2014. Start with remembering to write the correct year and go from there. The smallest beginnings lead to miraculous endings!