The Crankiness Crusher™

There is so much possibility in today--and every day this year.

As many of us clink champagne glasses on New Year’s Eve, we often say “This is going to be a great year!” And in that moment, we are filled with such hope, optimism, and the excitement of either continuing a fab lifestyle or changing our luck because we’ve been granted another year to “make things happen.” I’m always giddy when ringing in a new year, and tend to forget how good or bad the previous one was, and instead start plotting how to make this year the best one yet.

Today, I logged out in my PJs all day and enjoyed a little downtime (finally!) with my family. Instead of zipping around, I just hung out, hugged my kids (and my husband who usually gets the shaft!), ignored my to-do list, and was thankful for a day of rest. I also began to think about some things that I’d like to accomplish this year; nothing that would stress me out, just some goals that I’d like to achieve sometime this year. Right now, so many things seem possible. I’m feeling rejuvenated by 2012’s newness. It’s like a breath of fresh air that I, and I’m sure many of you, desperately needed.

A Christmas gift that'll help us practice what we learn.

For me, this New Year has ushered in a feeling of wanting to improve myself. For the last few years, I’ve been so dedicated to fulfilling my kids’ needs that I had forgotten to tend to my own. Now that they’re getting a bit older (they’re 5 and 2 1/2), I have a little more time to actually think about what I want. For example, I’ve always wanted to learn how to play a musical instrument, but never pursued it. My son will be taking piano lessons this year (thanks to my generous in-laws), and I’ll have the opportunity to learn right alongside him. It’ll be a fun way to bond–a real crankiness crusher, I’m sure–and it’ll fill a hole in my life’s plan that I’ve wanted to address for a while.

Do you have any holes that you’d like to fill this year? Share them here if you’d like. Remember, that you have the power to dig up your dreams and manipulate the earth to make things happen! It’s gonna be a good year, everyone. I can feel it in my bones.

Cheers to 2012!

~Tara