It's Mines

The tree is down, no more stress of fitting time in to shop,the presents were a hit, the sweet tooth is under control and we are all alive and healthy waiting on a new year to begin.

With the approaching New Year on the horizon and Christmas now done and over, this time of the year always brings out different aspects in people.

For me it is a time of gathering, sorting, understanding, reflecting and renewing, a practice that is me for more years than I care to tell.

It is a time for me to gather thoughts and ideas, lessons and failures, goals and successes and changes I have to keep to from the past year,all the while remembering to keep it all very close.

None of the “New Year’s” resolutions for me, I prefer to take things as they come – for the most part.

Instead all year long I will make promises to myself, as I see that I need to, every day keeping them close in thought so I can obtain the ultimate goal.

Remembering that I am only human so if I slip it is okay, I just need to remember how to pick myself back up and move forward.

Keeping the game plan in mind, close to the surface, because without it wondering down the wrong path is too easy, especially since I am fallible.

Eyes forward waiting for the New Year to get started while thoughts slip bit back in review, it’s important to me to remember lessons learned, break through thoughts of a year and to celebrate accomplishments that I never seen coming.

Delighting in the wonders of another year gone and excited for what the next year will have in store.

Not all the reflecting is deep or life changing, after all whose always is?

But nonetheless days spent in reflection of this past year and prior years, because there are lessons from years before that I am only now realizing.

To share some of what I mean, though a bit on the frivolous side, but examples still.

Getting back to good eating habits, because this year that went out the door without time to bake, it’s how I usually keep from eating too many sweets during this time of the year.

After about the 200th plus cookie, a few dozen mini loafs of breads and a dozen regular size loaves I don’t even want to look at cookies or anything with sugar in it.

Getting back to exercising to get into better shape, feel more alive and help with my struggle to stay smoke free and not just to keep from gaining more than the holiday 10 that has found a home on several of my body parts.

It’s okay though, the only part I truly mind is that my pants are a bit tight for now, but oh the joy when they are loose again, a feeling I still remember!

Sorting my schedule because I need to enjoy the wonderful, beautiful, sparkly white snow covering the ground I prayed for both for Christmas and for the New Year covers the ground; waiting for me to find time to play in it.

Remembering there is nothing like bundling up in winter gear, my mittens, favorite hat, scarf and the jacket I wear when I don’t care what may happen to it, all to go back in time if not just in my head for a little while, enjoying the simplicity of life.

Looking forward to the anticipation of the piping hot cocoa with mini marshmallows in hand warming me up from the inside out, oh yes the simplicity of life when you understand that is how it should be.

Dreaming and planning for my spring and all the wondrous adventures I promise myself I am going to take – enjoying every moment of the day and nights as the year rolls around to yet another Christmas season and anticipation of yet another new year.

But never letting go of understanding how very much I love waking up next the next day knowing that everything is exactly how it should be – no matter what the day brings.

Contact Tina Mines at [email protected]