New Years, State Borders and Oprah

Happy New Year!

The whole concept of new years, new months and new weeks was a gift set up by God when he created the earth. If it wasn't for God choosing the seventh day as the day of rest, each day would simply follow another in an endless string of the same existence. Instead, with each Sabbath we begin anew. With each month we have something to look forward to and with the new year many have great desires to try to make internal changes to our lives.

The interesting thing to me is these lines of "new" are much like borders on a map. I remember how disappointed I was when I crossed the border from Texas into New Mexico on my way to BYU the first time. All there was to make me aware of the change was a little sign I almost missed. The land didn't know it was a different state. We created that and it's a good thing we did. Can you imagine if the federal government had to run everything? Now, that would be scary.

Just like with the land, it is important that we break our time into pieces so that we can manage it better. It is important to celebrate holidays, to keep the Sabbath day special, and even when you don't want to, to at least set one new year's resolution.

Now, I've read so many snippets that pull away from setting resolutions because so often we don't reach them. But I believe there is benefit in the trying. I love the fact that Oprah Winfrey's size keeps changing, because she is a perfect example of the benefit of trying. When she works at it she gets there but once she stops, she falls back. So do I. I've had moments of focus where my house stays clean and my waistline decreases but as soon as I lose focus, it all falls apart.

So do I give up and let everything go? Nope, I set another resolution and for maybe this week I'll lose my holiday weight and be caught up on laundry. Yeah for resolutions, new beginnings and moments of greatness.

A New Year's Curse

I have a friend from Chile who has spent the last week feverishly cleaning her house. In her country there is a tradition that however your house looks on New Year's Day is the way it will look like most of that coming year. Well, we had a wild day yesterday. My husband was working and I was trying to update my website but it wasn't going well. Meanwhile, the kids were running to the park, playing with friends and watching TV. I totally lost track of the time and when my husband walked in the door, I suddenly looked up and realized we were already late for a party. We got the kids cleaned up and ran out the door, leaving a tornado behind us. So I guess I'm cursed to spend the next year up to my armpits in piles of old school papers, dirty socks and sneakers, and cast off jackets and scarves.

Luckily, I don't believe in curses. I'm actually looking forward to wonderful things happening in the next year. My second son who will be leaving on a mission (the first is still out.) Another son will hopefully finish his Eagle and go off to college. The other kids are doing well in school. I'm going to have my first book published and my second book has already been accepted (if I ever get the rough draft done.) Lastly, I am surrounded by wonderful people in a new area of the country and hope to continue to meet new people both professionally and socially.

It looks to be a great year. Now if I can just get a a corner of my desk cleared off... oh, well. Maybe I do believe in curses.