Happy New Year 2012!

Last year I wrote a blog for 2011 about the new year.  A lot has happened since then. However, before I get started, I can’t help but notice that my dog got us up at the exact same time this year, 5:45 am.  If nothing else, he is consistent! I am not as depressed about the new year as I usually am and I don’t know why.  Maybe it’s because I have a “plan” and developed some interests last year that I really enjoy.  Maybe it’s also because I have made new friends and learned a few things from them about perseverance and having a positive attitude. Whatever it is, I am thankful for it.

Last year I was still in some pain over my ten year friendship ending. Even though it had been one year, I hadn’t fully healed, but now I have.  I have stopped dwelling on it and put it behind me and moved on.  I feel so much better just from that alone.  I have also taken my blogging my seriously. In addition to this blog, I was writing for two other blogs.  Of course the Russian Dolls blog was a bust, thanks to the show, but I met some people and had some interesting discussions about the show and a few great laughs over it.  My blogging also lead me to win a contest Marlo Thomas had on her page and from that I got two free tickets to see her in Relatively Speaking” plus a phone call from Marlo and her book with a message she wrote to me.  That was a wonderful way to end the year.  

A new year inspires hopes and dreams. It’s like a new starting point. I read a quote the other day that said “No one can go back and make a brand new start. Anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” I think that is how many of us feel. We can learn from our past and create better futures. Why not? And our hopes and dreams don’t have to be big either, they can be small things, as long as we love doing it. I have gotten the most satisfaction from pursuing things I am passionate about.  I have always loved to write and now I write every day, and people are actually reading and enjoying what I have to say. It’s not so easy to go out and get a book published, but anyone can start one or more blogs about anything and everything and write away. The only thing anyone has to do is take what you enjoy and try to do it as often as possible. If you like to crochet, there are only so many things you can make, but maybe you can donate your work to nursing homes where many elderly people would appreciate it. If you are an animal lover and have the time, maybe you can find an animal shelter or animal rescue organization to donate some of your time to. 

I was taking college classes a few years ago, studying French literature. I really enjoyed those classes because I was able to write about the plot and characters. I never considered blogging as a way to express my love of writing.  If there is something you love there are a variety of ways you can pursue it that will fit into your lifestyle. You really should think about it and while you are thinking, get healthy.

Now tomorrow, first thing, I start my diet and try to lose 10 pounds. It worked last year and now I am ready to lose the other ten. Jane Fonda is going to help me with some age appropriate exercises and there is always the tread mill.  I am lucky enough to have gotten a few of my facebook friends to join me so we can support and encourage each other. I am hoping we all reach our goal weights and if not we will still be better off than when we started.  Why not think about a healthier lifestyle and get the new year off on the right foot? Let’s hit the ground running!

Moving On in 2012...

2012 is a New Year, don't let it get washed away!

In a few days 2011 will be over, behind us, the good and the bad.  Some people are sad about to see the old year end, others are happy and hopeful as they welcome the New Year.  The New Year, 2012, is a blank slate and we can write whatever we want on it for ourselves.  Unfortunately, not everything is in our control, so things may happen that we don’t like.  But, a lot of what happens is in our control.  We can make some positive changes in our lifestyles and attitudes and that can have a ripple effect on everything and everyone around us.  What have we got to lose anyway?  Being more positive isn’t going to kill us, in fact, if anything, it should make us live longer.

I’ve already started thinking ahead.  I plan to get back on the 17 Day Diet, which worked very well for me last January, but I got sidetracked somewhere a long the way.  The exercise DVD that went with it was way too rigorous for my body.  Even the warm up wiped me out.  I am hoping that Jane Fonda’s DVDs (Prime Time) will be more my speed (slow motion) and that they will help me get started in the right direction.  Diet and exercise should be on everyone’s list of things to do. Even if you don’t have to lose weight, eating healthy foods makes a huge difference in how you feel. I have been finding, over the holidays, that junk food and sweets make me feel sick.  It just confirms my resolve to do something about my eating habits.  According to Jane and my doctor, as we get older, exercise is even more important.  It’s harder for us to move around.  But if we work on our muscles it eliminates many aches and pains from doing even normal activities.  Also, exercise helps build bone and calcium supplements are not enough. I went of a bone density test (if you are over 50 you should go) and found I already have osteoporosis.  I am taking Fosamax, calcium and vitamin D3 supplements.  I need the exercise too.

I heard about a book called the “Power of Positive Thinking” by Norman Vincent Peale and I am going to get it out of the library.  Many people consider me a positive person, but I don’t, that’s why I named my blog Pet Peeves. I feel like I am always complaining about something.  Maybe I can help myself focus on the positive enough so that I can feel I have a good attitude?  Who knows, anything is possible if you think it is.

If you have some toxic people or relationships in you life, you may want to consider limiting your contact with these people or severing ties.  Toxic relationships cause a tremendous amount of stress and they take a toll on our mental, physical and emotional well being. It’s a toll that we really can’t afford. They drain us of energy, take away our motivation and focus on the good things, and can literally make us sick.  It may be a good time to assess your relationships and see if you can reduce stress in that department. At the same time, reconnect or nurture relationships with those who care and make you feel good about yourself.  Call more often, plan lunch or dinner dates, and make time for family.  It doesn’t have to be a holiday to have family over. Maybe have a summer family reunion in 2012?  Life is short and you don’t want to have regrets.

Find things you enjoy doing, that you haven’t done in a long time. Old hobbies, visiting with friends, cooking, charity work, writing, reading…anything that has a positive effect on how you feel.  

We have a few days before 2012 starts to consider making some changes in our lives that will make the new year better and healthier for each of us.  Start thinking. Next Monday you will at least have a plan started for getting the new year off on the right foot!