Saturday, December 29, 2012

Dear Daughters: Preparing for 2013

You don't have to have it all figured out to move forward

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Dear Daughters,

As 2013 quickly approaches,

with all of the excitement and clean slates that implies,

‘you really don’t have to have it all figured out to move forward’.


Phew.

Isn’t that a relief?

Believe me I have tried the opposite.


In years past, I’d get myself all wound tight, (or in a tizzy as Dad would say),

making lists,

reading diet books,

and searching for the perfect spiritual meditation book to transform my mind and my thinking.


If I may, I have an alternate to tizzy-ness to recommend.


Just do the next right thing.


For example, a moment ago I couldn’t stand the clutter in my pantry cabinet (after all of the holiday cooking I have done) another moment.

I did a little bit of straightening and consolidating and now I can breathe.

In fact, while doing that straightening , this post idea came to mind.

That is where the magic occurs. One thing really does lead to another.


Which leads to my next suggestion.


Honor who you are. 

Example:

As amazing bloggers started posting their Top 12 Projects of 2012,

I actually thought,

if I try to do that and re-post all those photos ,

I may as well poke a stick in my eye.


So instead,

I honored the spirit of this quirky blog,

that I have likened to that thrift store

in the ‘interesting’ part of town,

that is sometimes open but sometimes closed,

but may have something you didn’t know you needed.


And finally,

instead of all of the striving,

read Anne Lamott’s new book on prayer titled

Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers.

That pretty much sums it up.

It really is that simple.


You are so loved,

Mom


Oh and

Happy New Year!

(To hedge your bets- don’t forget your black-eyed peas!)

8 comments:

NanaDiana said...

I love these letters to your daughters. You are a good Mom...and a clear thinker! Blessings to you and your sweet family- xo Diana

Pura Vida said...

Dear Laura, your daughters are very lucky to have such a wise and soulful mom. I take your advice all the time too. Happy new year! Gina

Chenille Cottage said...

Your daughters are blessed to have such a wonderful and thoughtful Mom!
Happy New Year, Laura!
Carolynn xxx

Theresa said...

Great advice:) It stresses me out to make a list of things I know I need to do, but will not do! So I am going to work on some things in my life that need working on! No resolutions for me just a mental list:) Have a blessed day dear Laura, BIG HUGS!

Dewena said...

Help. Thanks. Wow! Yes, it does sort of sum it all up. I'll have to find this book and read it. Meanwhile that's easy to remember. Thank you. And doing the next right thing. I like that too. Simplify. One step at a time. Good words!

Always Nesting said...

I love this advice. Oh how well I know that life is too short to set our sights so high that we mentally beat ourselves up if we experience failure. Striving for the just right and so perfect tomorrows, we often forget we just need to live in the todays - perfect or not.

My word for 2013 is Renewal. Just renewal - my physical and emotional health at the top of my list followed by my marriage. Cancer has taken its toll on all of those things and the renewal is taking place right here, right now, Today.

Pondside said...

Good advice, as always. Lucky daughters - and lucky us, that you share.

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