I usually like to spend a quiet New Years at home but tonight the plan is dinner and a movie with a friend…low key. We'll see "Joy" with Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Robert DeNiro. Then Sushi dinner. …then home to relax…to Stop and Reflect on 2015. It's time. Here are some things to ponder (and share if you'd like): 1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year? 2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened? 3. What was an unexpected joy this past year? 4. What was an unexpected obstacle? 5. Pick three words to describe this past year. 6. What were the best books you read this year? 7. With whom were your most valuable relationships? 8. What was your biggest personal change of 2015? 9. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally? spiritually? physically? 10. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationships with others? 11. What was the most enjoyable or challenging part of your work (both professionally and at home)? 12. What was the most enjoyable or challenging part of retirement? 13. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year? 14. What was the best way you used your time this past year? 15. What was biggest thing you learned this past year? 16. Create a phrase or statement that describes this past year for you.
Happy New Year to everyone! My year was the same except for spending almost a month in Illinois at my son, DIL, and 3 little grandsons home in August. A month later I met them for a week in Maui, all expenses paid by my son. Nothing exciting happened around my house in Fresno except more things needing repair. Wow, no wonder I woke up depressed! I'm tired of being here and not looking forward to going home on Sunday either. Sorry about the negative post, Lara but just not feeling it lately. Only one good note is I met someone online (not romantic) who turned out to be a great friend that I talk to daily and who cheers me up. Sometimes I don't even feel like waking up anymore...I don't want to die either. Guess this post caught me at a bad moment. I'm usually not like this.
Ike, I'm glad you learned that…because we all want you around for awhile . I learned something similar. It had nothing to do with my doctor but I learned on my own, by listening to my body, that every bad thing I eat now shows up on my body and makes me feel terrible…and will kill me in a short time. It didn't used to be that way when I was younger. I now eat protein, low to no carbs, no sweets, and lots of steamed kale (I just learned raw kale everyday decreases thyroid function..who knew). And I learned how swimming 5 days a week is the best exercise for me mentally and physically. Chrissy, it's okay to share negativity because that's all part of reflecting back on 2015…it can't be all good. It's all about awareness. A mental recap helps us to move forward in the New Year and improve what wasn't good and continue on with what was good and to be grateful for that Even Mona stopped and reflected…
I really didn't have anything bad happen, I'm just tired of the same old same old. I should be grateful that I have such an easy life....my $2,000 mortgage is paid by my daughter. Both kids pay for my car, my son pays for my iphone. They both take me to high end restaurants. My daughter buys me designer clothes, and purses etc. when I'm here I go home with stuff from Costco that my daughter insists on paying for. I'm only responsible for my utility bills and food at home, so life should be good. I've done the volunteering but didn't work with my travel schedule. The senior center in Fresno is crappy. I don't want another man in my life either, unless he's perfect. And I won't take antidepressants...tried too many that don't work. Maybe I'm just tired of being perceived as perfect and good and just want to run away from home and smoke some cigarettes, lol. Except I'm too OCD to be homeless...
Looks like you have been thinking a lot Lara I will go through your list in a suitably thoughtful way 1) I survived 2) Don't rise to challenges anymore so pass on that one 3) A sense of freedom 4) Communication in a business matter 5 ) Confusion Withdrawal Acceptance 6) Diana Athill (re-reading) "Somewhere Near The End" plus numerous travel books. 7) Friends (online) and family 8) Virtually doubling the amount of time I am away from home 9) Kefir changed my physical wellbeing completely, emotionally I feel the beginnings of a withdrawal from life, spiritually I feel connected more. 10) I guess I reduced the number of others 15) I learnt to never take anything or anyone for granted 11) Finally giving up all work completely 12) Freedom the most enjoyable and no challenges really. 13) The internet I suppose ( but my concept of wasting time is changing ) 14) Being with a dying friend 16) A realisation that life really is an illusion I expect good marks for my submission Lara.
We were prepared for the new year because one of the traditions here is the reverly particularly with firecrackers and fireworks. But no, we were not prepared for the firecrackers, just the food and the caring of our dogs. They are stressed out with the sound of firecrackers and obviously they are trembling. While cooking the new year dishes, our tv is turned on with loud volume to deaden the sounds of firecrackers outside while our dogs are hiding under the table. Making matters worse, not for the dogs but for the people, it rained last night. It was a drizzle at first but at around 11pm, the shower turned to rain until the climax at 12 midnight, it was already raining. What a wet 2016 we have here.
Terry….A+++ for your submission. Intriguing answers. Honest and straight forward. Thank you for taking the time to give it some thought. I wanted to post which ones were my favorites but they all are for different reasons. You're brave for opening up to us. Thank you.
Perhaps we're in a season of our lives now where it's a time for us to laugh, and a time to dance; a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace. A time to speak; A time to love, and a time of peace. (in part from Ecclesiates 3:1-8)