I don’t really believe in New Year’s Resolutions. I find that the things that most people aspire to change in their lives require a redirection of heart rather than the turning of a calendar page. But as we say good-bye to the first month of the new year I’ve been thinking of my goals for this year. Thus far it’s been one of my best years ever. Nothing like starting out on the right foot and 13 is my lucky number anyway.
Business is picking up and the goals for my shop seem well within reach. My dad is coming out this weekend and will be around to help with the administrative stuff and is willing to be put to work. I think having an extra set of hands will make a huge difference in production and organization. I have a whole list of ideas and things I’d like to get off of paper and into the homes of our customers. It’s been exciting to see all the little ways I’ve been blessed in my work and I look forward to seeing where this year takes us.
This year has also found me making a commitment to our homeschooling journey. It’s something I’ve been tiptoeing around for a while, but seeing the progress Turkey makes when I set aside a block in our day to work with him has been the encouragement I needed to get serious about it. I’ve been able to take the time to choose a curriculum and give him what he needs, but I know he won’t find in public school. It’s empowering to be able to make the choices for your kids and do so based on their individual needs and abilities. Using the unschooling model I get to take a step away from my cookie cutter views on education and learn about the world right along side him. The older boys continue to thrive in their classes and enjoy the supplementation at home.
Being healthy is an everyday part of our life and we are always looking for ways to be more self sustaining and reduce the amount of empty foods we consume. I was a little lazy over the holidays, but have been getting back into my routine and hope to run my first marathon this year. It’s always been a dream of mine and I want to finally check it off my bucket list. It’s so important to not only be healthy for our kids, but to show them how to live an active lifestyle.
Another bucket list items has been to write a book or dozen. Man I married used to want to be a part of sharing our story with the world to help others going through what we did and it’s still important to me that we do some advocacy work. I’m hoping to finally get all my notes and drafts into one cohesive story that I can send to a friend in publishing. It’s a little scary to put yourself out there in that way, but there are few things I feel more passionately about than raising awareness of the toll we’re asking our troops to pay and that the invisible wounds often hurt the most. I guess I feel like I owe it to his memory to follow through.
This year will also find our family getting involved in charitable activities. I think it’s important that the boys learn that serving others is the path to true joy. It’s more than just throwing money at a problem, but getting involved and investing your time. I’ve scouted some causes that I think are worthwhile and that the kids will enjoy. I think we’re all looking forward to the afternoon at the animal shelter and putting together toys for the children’s hospital. I have been blessed in an incredible number of ways and it’s so heartwarming to share those blessings with others.
I hope that more than superficial resolutions that tend to get forgotten within the early weeks of the year that we all find something to aspire to that will brighten the world around us.
