My outlook today is not wrapped around kicking out 2009 by the seat of its pants. I am reflective of the year that is passing in a few hours.
2009 was a tough year for many folks. Countless people, friends and family members, filed for bankruptcy, lost their homes, and lost their jobs. Many that held onto their jobs are still hanging in the balance. They no longer feel the security of, “I will work hard and this job should always be here for me.”
2009 was also a year to learn and grow. It was a year to look at the outlying pressures and say, “Okay, enough of that. I can be strong, I can survive. I can move forward!” Living for this very moment became the focus. Seeing our savings, our retirement, and our personal possessions diminish was disturbing. But learning to focus on what we can change, instead of what we cannot change, became the key. Difficult times can teach us to be flexible. It can be a tremendous time for personal growth. And it can become a time to celebrate the small things in life, which are truly the big things!
I am looking forward to 2010. Anticipating a new year includes gratefulness for life itself, a yearning to continue to grow and experience whatever life brings. A thank you to God for life. An absolute time for joy!
Happy New Year!
Annies Goat Hill Handcrafted Soaps 
Happy New Year to you too! I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to bring in the new year by howling at the full “blue” moon!!
Let’s see…you can start the howling in Indiana. I will continue the wave in Ohio. We will not need fireworks at midnight. Sound good?
LOL Sounds good! 🙂 On the count of midnight!
“But learning to focus on what we can change, instead of what we cannot change, became the key.”
You just hit the nail on the head, Mary. Such wise advice.
Happy new year to you, my sweet friend. Wishing you all the best in 2010!
Happy new year to you and your family, Alix!
The Serenity Prayer is appropriate when we decide how to view our situations- my personal life is pretty challenging but we serve a God greater than any challenge.
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
–Reinhold Niebuhr
Thank you, Linda.
We are very much in control of our own happiness and outlook in life.
Happy new year!
Your wisdom is far beyond your years, Mary!
I so much look forward to the inspiration in your posts. With so much negative that pops up in my daily life it is nice to come here and be refreshed.
Thank you!
And Happy New Year to you and the rest of Annie’s Goat Hill!!
Hello, Becky. Happy new year!
Might as well laugh at it all.
Something was bugging me yesterday, just for a moment. I asked myself, “If I were dying this very moment would this issue matter?” The answer was no. I let it go.
Seeing our savings, our retirement, and our personal possessions diminish was disturbing.
Are you talking about yourself? or folks in general?
Sure hope 2010 is a good one for ya Mary. Thank you for your blog friendship in 2009.
Joanna, I am referring to both. But, everyone as a whole for the most part.
It was (and still can be) disturbing. I agree with you 100%.
Our best position is to work hard at the game, get the defense ball rolling so our chins remain up.
That was my main accomplishment in 2009.
Thank you, Joanna, I appreciate you too!
Mary, it was cloudy and drippy down East Texas way and couldn’t see the ‘blue moon.’ Sad. I’m believing that “With God, all things are possible.” Blessings to you in this new year!
Debbie, we had fog and heavy clouds. Was not a clear and starry night!
Happy new year and blessings to you as well!