HAPPY NEW YEAR!

What did you do to ring in 2008? People have so many different rituals, superstitions, and beliefs about New Year's. Some folks go to church (done that). Some party (never done that.) Some believe that whatever you're doing on New Year's is how you will spend the rest of your year. Let's hope not, since I spent my New Year's Eve and will likely spend most of the day in bed, sick as a dog. (I was going to share a picture but, since I actually look like a corpse, I'll spare you all.) I certainly pray this is definitely not how I will spend the rest of 2008. Amen!

I don't really do the New Year's resolution thing. I almost feel like making a resolution pretty much guarantees that I won't achieve it. I made ONE last year and, needless to say, it didn't happen. So, at the most, I try to make sure New Year's doesn't catch me with a messy house. (Of course, that plan was shot to hell the minute I sneezed.) Sometimes my mom and some of my neighbors make a huge pot of black-eyed peas for good luck. I always skipped out on that tradition since I am not a fan of most peas and I don't see how peas and luck are at all related. But to each his own.

At least two of my friends had an extra special holiday season. They got engaged (on Christmas and Christmas Eve)! Congrats to them! Check out one engagement here.

As for me, while I'm sipping hot tea, drinking soup, eating Indian food (the spices help tremendously), and resting until I feel well enough to get back to tackling that "messy house" thing, I'll do the only thing I really stick to each New Year - counting my blessings.

I Am Grateful:

...to be alive!
I know it sounds cliché but we often lose sight of the fact that tomorrow is not promised - no matter what age you may be.

...that I am well! (for the most part anyway. lol)
When I find myself allowing some trivial things to get me down, I have a tiny biopsy scar to remind me that at least I have my health.

...for the health and well-being of my loved ones!

...that I have family and/or friends who love me!
I'm sure it's hard sometimes. :o)

...that I have shelter!
It may not have my dream house, but at least I have a roof over my head and walls to protect me from the elements. At the end of the day, that's all anyone really needs.

...that I have food on my plate!
Again, so many people take this for granted.

...that I have clothes on my back!

...that I have a job to sustain me!
Even if I don't have my dream job, at least my bills are getting paid. *see food, shelter, and clothes references*

Of course there is a lot more to be grateful for, but sometimes, I think it's best to focus on the simple things we take for granted far too often.

And now, I'm going to lay down. But before I do, I want to share something I found on a box of one of my favorite teas (English Toffee dessert tea by Celestial Seasonings - yummy). Since I have always eaten my dessert before dinner (with few exceptions), I really enjoyed this credo. [Sidebar: Of course my parents tried to nip this habit in the bud when I was a kid, but I just hid cookies and other sweets in my room and quickly ate some a few minutes before dinner anyway - then proceeded to clean my plate. They caught on eventually and gave up on changing me. Some may call it a bad habit. I just call it a habit.]

Have Dessert First!

“Always have dessert first, says the pessimist,
because you never know if you will live through the meal.
Always have dessert first, says the optimist,
as an act of faith that the meal will follow.
Always have dessert first, says the hedonist, because
pleasure is a cardinal point on the compass of life.
Always have dessert first, says the puritan,
as a prayer of thanks for the good things in life,
Always have dessert first, says the child,
because it’s the most fun.”

- Stephen Foehr

Try it sometime.