Review

Well, it’s that time. It’s the end of our current trip around the sun and everywhere you look over the last few days you see a review of the year. It’s on my Facebook feed, the Today show, my news homepage, Instagram, and on and on and on. The stories are mostly a reflection on what happened (#MeToo, Government Shutdown(s) and Trump-Russia Investigation) and what didn’t happen (Brexit and The Border Wall). On Social Media, we’re treated to a rundown of where we went and who we saw. It’s our own personal Greatest Hits album.

I am not exempt from this reflection. I perform a “State of My Life” analysis too. I am a goal setter, and spend the better part of a week every January setting my goals for the year. At the end of December, I like to go back and see what I did or didn’t accomplish.

My reflection of the last week or so revealed that 2018 was not my favorite year. And sadly, it’s the latest in a string of not-so-favorites. The million-dollar question is “Why Exactly?” I am immeasurably blessed. I know this and don’t need to list my numerous blessings as a reminder, because that’s not what I am talking about. Of course I am grateful for my family’s health, happiness, and prosperity. All of my favorite people in life are here and doing well. So then, why do I feel dissatisfied with the last year? I checked off a lot of boxes on my goals list, and most of the margins are full of 4-color pen notes and accolades for myself. So, what then?

2018 was a year where nothing went my way. There, I said it. If something was going to break, this was the time. And, at the worst possible moment. I ran out of time, patience, determination and “want-to” long before I got it all done. Further and probably more importantly, some of my personal relationships were challenged and I had to figure out how best to handle that moving forward. Middle age is also bringing a sense of urgency to see things and do things that I didn’t have in my 30’s. Perhaps I was too immersed in the throes of young motherhood to even consider something else. Or maybe at age 30 I thought I had all the time in the world. But, that feeling has passed and is replaced with the knowledge that time is limited and precious. And I’ll be damned if I am going to waste it.

Whoa!! That was deep and not what you are used to hearing from me. #sorrynotsorry

Here’s the deal….you are the only one in charge of changing what you don’t like. So, I am going to shake some things up starting with the littlest things. My mother was an EXTREMELY superstitious person, and passed a bit of that on to me. She believed that it was bad luck to take down the Christmas decorations and tree before New Year’s Day. For years, I have left the decorations up well into the new year. Today, I took every single bit of that shit down…tree and all. Adding to that, for a few years now I’ve followed the Spanish tradition of eating 12 grapes on New Year’s Eve, hoping for luck and prosperity in the following year. Well, this year I am upping my game. I’m going to drink an entire bottle of wine at midnight. Just kidding, we all know I’ll be asleep by 10:30.

One of my most treasured friends (and sister-in-law…Bonus!!) sent me a link today of “The 7 Lucky Foods to Eat on New Year’s Day.” She and I are both hoping for an awesome and improved 2019. I am leaving nothing to chance. Goodbye 2018 and good riddance. Bring it 2019. Let’s Do This!!

http://dish.allrecipes.com/new-years-day-lucky-foods/