Today is the first day of the rest of your life is such a hopeful phrase. It’s instructive and cleansing, giving me permission to look forward, allowing me to shrug off past shortcomings and failures. The first decade of the 21st century has been a decade of extraordinary highs and lows, of new friends made, and the loss of people about whom I cared deeply. In the past decade, my granddaughter was born and has grown into a charming companion. In the past decade, I brought dogs back into my life and dog hair into my home. I hope I’ve grown and learned.
What will I try to do with the rest of my life? I’m going to be more positive about me, but also more realistic. When the “to do list”, hung on a wall, is taller than I am, that’s not realistic, but it’s also not a supportable basis for paralysis. This past decade, my attitude has been if I can’t do it all, then I just won’t start. So, I’ll try to set a series of small and manageable goals, then just chip away at them. I’m going to stop guilting myself out of doing things I love. It really is okay to take an entire day off work, pack up the camera, and go a’huntin’. The computer has been the instrument of terminal stalling. When I really don’t want to work on a project, I check my blog, everyone else’s blog, all three email accounts, etc. I hereby declare the computer a “reward” and when I finish a project, I will collect the prize.
Be kinder to people — I’m going to try. Perhaps 23 years of doing criminal defense work has jaded me a little. I will look for a fresh approach; try to give people the benefit of the doubt; remember that they also have in their souls holes that need healing.
The number one effort I will make is to smile — everyday. I will always find a reason to smile (as if having Cardis wasn’t reason enough). I hope you’ll all check me on that one — feel free to say, “Hey, you aren’t smiling.”
To each of you, I wish enough. I wish you enough of the basic essentials we humans need to exist, as well as enough happiness to keep you all smiling.
Happy New Decade to each of you.
