Thinking back on all the New Year’s resolutions I have made over the years, I can’t think of a single one that wasn’t a good idea. From eating smarter to getting better organized, each resolution, whether it was a success or is still a work in progress, made sense for my life and overall well-being. Some were even what could be considered fun! A fresh workout routine leaves the mind and body feeling great, and a closet cleared of clothes that I hadn’t worn in years was less stressful to tackle in the morning, and reminded me that I had donated those clothes to people that might really need them. But each of these resolutions, no matter how big in effect, was small in focus. Cleaning a closet, eating more vegetables, calling friends more often, and so forth; all rather concrete in their approach. So this year I am trying something new, and I’d love if you tried it with me! This year my resolution will be the pursuit of happiness, wherever that journey make take me.
If you imagine this journey will include many typical resolutions within it, you’re right. I want to eat healthier, I want to clean out that closet once again, I want to get my oil changes on time every time. But I won’t be thinking the same way about these things – they will not be singular focuses. The focus will be on living a happier, healthier, more enriched and enriching life. So much about the end result of things is found in the focus, and I’m excited to see how differently things feel when that focus is so bold and broad. There are things I can’t change, like the fact that there will always be more work to be done than hours in the day. But I’m not interested in the things I can’t change, but the things I can. What I can change is how I feel about that hard work; what it means to me, my life, and the lives of those around me – including you!
As I sit here at my computer with good music turned up high and thoughts of a new year on my mind, I have some vague ideas about how I’ll achieve greater happiness, but am very aware that if it comes it will come in so many ways I can’t imagine. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to sit by and just wait for it. I am going to actively pursue it, and accept that I won’t always be able to control it or attain it.
I am going to live with greater intention and consciousness. I am going to recycle more. I am going to eat more candy, more slowly, more appreciatively, more often, with more people. I am going to finish uploading my CDs to my computer. I am going to stop buying things simply because they are on sale. I am going to think about why I’m doing something before I do it. I am going to pay closer attention to the emotions and actions of those I care about. I am going to appreciate my dog and my dog’s endless supply of love without judgment. I am going to try to be more like my dog. I am going to consider whether I want to do something because it’s something people do that I feel like I should do too, or because I really want to do it and the effect will be a positive in my life. I am going to read more inspirational quotes, even if they are kind of cheesy, because sometimes they light a little fire that might only burn for a moment, but it burns so bright it’s magnificent. I am going to take everything I know and apply it to learning more about the countless things I don’t know. I am going to work toward being the most complete, authentic ‘me’ I can be, even if that task takes forever. And it will. I’m OK with that. In fact, I like it.
“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” – Herman Cain
We love what we are doing at BlairCandy.com, and we thank you for helping us in another successful year. We wish you nothing but the best in the New Year ahead, and look forward to bringing you not only the sweetest candy around, but service with a smile. Even if you can’t actually see that smile, it’s there. 🙂
