I’ve always loved the thought of a brand new year, like a sparkling white field of snow spread before me, unmarred; perfect and new. I wait for it with anticipation. I have never been one for New Year’s resolutions. Our resolutions tend to fall to the wayside a few weeks into January. We promise ourselves we’ll loose weight, start an exercise regime or give up bad habits. We undertake to be less judgemental of others, have more patience, be more loving, all with a strong resolve that this is the way we will better our lives. And we do mean it…Damn it!
So I scrapped the idea of a New Year’s resolution many years ago.
Instead, on New Year”s Eve I create of list of intentions for the coming year. I prefer the word intentions instead of dreams because dreams sometimes have a way of eluding us, something that we hope for but can never attain whereas intentions seem very plausible; something that we intend to do or accomplish. If we intend it we CAN make it happen and why not?
This past year has been an amazing year for me. What once occupied a space on my list of intentions has become reality, sometimes surpassing even my own expectations. My first novel was published, I participated at Word on the Street, attended book signings, and met so many, many wonderful people, hopefully learned a bit about the publishing industry and so much more. It’s been a year of much joy and happiness. It’s been a year for family and friends. A year when perfect strangers have bestowed acts of kindness upon me that will never be forgotten.
I haven’t yet sat down to write my list but I know that number one will be.
I intend to always give thanks for all the remarkable blessings in my life!
So, Happy New Year to you all! Thank you all for your support and your over all remarkableness…May your intentions become reality….
As we head into 2010 what are your intentions for this brand new year?
Laura Best 
The Gift
/ December 31, 20091. Drink more
2. T.B.A.
3. T.B.A.
At least I have the important things covered.
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Laura Best
/ December 31, 2009Yes my son, you do.. And you should add teasing you’re mum onto that list….Thanks for dropping in!!!
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Carol J. Garvin
/ December 31, 2009Like you, I’ve said I don’t make resolutions because breaking them is like breaking a promise to myself, and that’s hard on one’s morale. Intentions are less constraining. As I continue to work on my novels my intention is to seek agent representation. It may not happen, but I won’t know if I don’t make the effort. I’m thankful for the blessings I already have, but that would be an especially sweet one. 🙂
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Laura Best
/ December 31, 2009I know one author who told me she sent out 100+ queries over a 13 month period but she finally got an agent. This was after she’d had a few books published as well. It’s not enough to simply announce our intentions we also must do the work involved to make those intentions come about.
She was obviously willing to do the work.. Three months later she has three upcoming contracts with publishers..She’s amazing!!!
May your intentions become reality, Carol in 2010. I wish you all the best.
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Kelly
/ December 31, 2009I hate “Resolutions” too. I called my list, “Hopes, Dreams and Goals”…but I like your idea of calling them “Intentions” a whole lot better. 🙂
-LittleSis
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Laura Best
/ December 31, 2009Thanks for dropping in Little Sis!
May all your intentions manifest themselves in your life!! You deserve it!
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Linda
/ December 31, 2009May all your intentions become reality, Laura! I too intend to reach some goals this year, both personally and professionally. I feel a change in the air.
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Laura Best
/ December 31, 2009Thanks Linda. I know exactly what you mean by feeling a change in the air and I wish you nothing but the best in your personal and professional goals.
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Ann
/ January 1, 20101. Survive to see Year 2011.
2. Start bringing in a regular income again.
3. Finish a novel.
4. Learn how to give more to family and friends.
Happy New Year to you, Laura!
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Laura Best
/ January 1, 2010Here’s hoping your intentions become reality in 2010, Ann. Happy New Year!
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uninvoked
/ January 1, 2010I just want to continue writing Uninvoked as best as I can, as much as I can.
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Laura Best
/ January 1, 2010Happy New Year and thanks for stopping by!
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Lynn
/ January 1, 2010Laura – I, too, gave up making a list of Resolutions years ago. It was too guilt inflicting when I failed yet again! So, now I just set goals that I would like to achieve and if I fail .. then I will try again tomorrow, or next month or next year – if I make it that far.
My “intentions” as you call them, are to write more, read more, and continue to do the things I do but better. 🙂 and NOT allow guilt to swallow me up when I miss the mark I have set. I have to learn to be more self-forgiving.
I sent off two of my children’s stories to two publishers at the very end of 2009. Now I wait to see what 2010 brings. I will call on my ‘muse’ and work on story ideas that need to be given life. Maybe, just maybe, this year will bring a new dimension to my life.
Thanks for your encouragement, Laura. You are a blessing.
Continued success and HAPPY NEW YEAR to you!
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Laura Best
/ January 1, 2010Best of luck with your stories and I am glad that you feel encouraged to keep writing! That is the only way you will reach that goal of yours!
Try to remember that quilt is a useless emotion that only serves to keep us stuck in one place!!! Rise above it…
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Leah
/ January 3, 2010Laura,
Your first intention is why I like you so much – well as much as I can like someone I’ve never spoken to or met in person grin – you have such a great heart and it comes through in your blog posts. Giving thanks for the blessings in our lives is an important part of seeing our “intentions” come to fruition. I wish you all the best in 2010!
Warmest wishes,
Leah
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Laura Best
/ January 3, 2010Thanks so much for your kind words, Leah. I think being grateful in life for every wonderful thing that comes our way is very important.
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donthangupthequill
/ January 3, 2010I hope you accomplish all you set out to do! What an amazing 2009 you had. Think 2010 will top it? 🙂
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Laura Best
/ January 3, 20102009 was a pretty amazing year especially when I look back over it all. So many new experiences and new people coming into my life has been the most terrific part. I’m not really looking to top 2009 I just want to be ready for everything that 2010 brings my way.
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Ev Bishop
/ January 4, 20102009 sounds like it was absolutely lovely, Laura–may 2010 be equally wonderful!
I too like your idea of intentions (though I’m not adverse to resolutions :)).
Drinking more sounds great, but I’d hate to be unoriginal. 😀
In my head I’ve coined 2010 the year of more.
More fruits and vegetables and new hearty vegetarian entrees!
More long, no-destination-point walkabouts (especially in interesting, off the beaten track areas).
More time just hanging out with friends and family (although I already spend lots doing that–I just really like it! :)).
. . . I have more “mores” but I have a write a column on them, so I need to hold some back. 😉
Happy New Year to you and yours!
p.s. Hear, hear re: your post about YA books being great for adults too.
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Laura Best
/ January 4, 2010Thanks for your thoughts, Ev. “The year of more”–that sounds like something we can all appreciate.
Happy New Year to you!
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Ev Bishop
/ January 4, 2010Er . . . I should resolve to use fewer emoticons in blog posts!
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JaxPop
/ January 4, 2010I agree w/ you about resolutions. 2009 was such a blur &, frankly I didn’t take the time to appreciate the blessings & the cool stuff the way I should have. Gonna take a deep breath & try to savor the good stuff…. for the rest of this week anyway.
Hey – Your kid (The Gift) kinda sounds like (either) one of my boys. Love my kids but they can make me nuts, even at ages 33 & 29 – but they are ridiculously funny. Mailed a check north with a note telling them to divvy it up – with our favorite to receive one dollar more than the other, without naming a favorite. They each compete for the revolving title of “The Golden Child” BTW – We have no favorite – it’s just a game that never gets old.
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Laura Best
/ January 5, 2010Sound like a fun game and something my zany kids would enjoy–the receiving of money that is but especially the joke!
The Gift, who’s real name actually means God’s Gift (we didn’t know it at the time) also happens to be our only boy. I noticed he dropped the God part but that was likely because he didn’t want to be too boastful…He doesn’t drive me nuts any more now that he’s living an hour and a half away. They say ignorance is bliss and I tend to agree.
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jenniferneri
/ January 9, 2010I have read recetnly that we have New Year all mixed up – at least in this hemisphere.
Winter is a time of dromancy and contemplation, not of action.
And it is, is it not?
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lynnadavidson
/ January 9, 2010If I may respond to jenniferneri’s comment … if this is so then what a fabulous time to write, don’t you think? Settle in and let the creative juices flow! 🙂
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jenniferneri
/ January 9, 2010HI Lynna – sorry my appreciation of this sentiment got mixed up. For me it means that winter is not the time for upheavel or major changes. I do not think that is the same as procrastanation. Actually, for me winter, the months of dormancy, is the perfect time to write. Creativity never stops. But, I do know some people who make great wonderful New Year’s resolutions each year and stick with them.
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Laura Best
/ January 9, 2010I agree with you Jennifer, the winter is a wonderful time to settle in and write. I find the snow quite inspiring and the closed in feeling that comes along with a winter storm even though I don’t particularly relish the snow and cold, if that makes sense at all.
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