A post over on Becky Levine’s blog yesterday titled, This Year’s Xmas Present, where she writes about a Christmas gift she received from her son, served as a great reminder to me that the world is filled with endless possibilities. Some days we need these reminders more than others.
With the New Year coming I like the idea that there are 365 days of possibilities just waiting to happen. I love it when something suddenly shows up in our lives to surprise and delight us, something that comes to us right out of the blue without expectation. If we can imagine it, then it has the potential to show up in our lives. I really like that thought.
Last year I made a list of New Year’s Intentions rather than resolutions. Resolutions are notorious for being broken shortly after they’ve been made. It’s as if we’re trying to bully ourselves into doing something or else.
Early in the New Year I intend to go back over my list, check off the intentions that became reality for me, and see which one I want to add to my list for the coming year. Not only do I use my list to dream big, but I always make sure to add smaller things as well. That way when I reflect back over the past year I find myself inspired by all that has come into my life. I am able to look at this list of intentions with gratitude for all that is, rather than reflecting upon what might be lacking. My system might not be perfect but it works for me.
As we head into a New Year may you be open to allowing a steady stream of endless possibilities into your life.
Happy New Year!
Laura Best 
timkeen40
/ December 31, 2010The New Year is there, isn’t it, with its infinite possibilities? Every new day begins the same way – when an imaginary second hand moves from 12:00:00 to 12:00:01, but this one, for whatever reason, is much more special. We leave something old behind (year) and look to something new(year). At that moment of 12:00:01, all the intentions burn as brightly as the star of Bethlehem.
Thanks for letting me get wordy on your post.
Happy New Year to you. My wish is that it is awesome year for you.
Tim
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Laura Best
/ December 31, 2010I totally agree with you, Tim. The New Year is definitely filled with possibilities and that thought makes me SO happy with this new year about to begin.
Thanks so much for for the new year wishes you’re sending my way. Happy New Year to you as well, may the year ahead fill you with joy and happiness. May your deepest desires become reality!
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Carol J. Garvin
/ December 31, 2010We both feel the same way about resolutions versus intentions, although I think your list is longer than mine this year. Perhaps mine will still grow; I haven’t finished with it yet. A new year is, as Tim says, like a new day… a fresh start. It’s like stepping out into the yard after a new snowfall when everything is pristine and untouched. So much potential!
Happy New Year to you. 🙂
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Laura Best
/ December 31, 2010Happy New Year, Carol! I feel so grateful for your support and friendship this past year. I think of you as someone with much common sense, and lots of wisdom to pass on to others. You’ve been a great inspiration for me!
May 2011 see us all live up to our full potential!
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duke1959
/ December 31, 2010Each day is a New Years Day. The only difference is there is not the expectation of you going out and getting drunk.
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Laura Best
/ January 1, 2011Yes Duke, you’re right. We should treat each day like it is New Year’s day!
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beckylevine
/ December 31, 2010I like the idea of making sure some little things are on the list–sometimes we overload ourselves way too much with the big. Have a wonderful New Year, Laura! 🙂
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Laura Best
/ January 1, 2011Yes, those little things help me feel as though I have accomplished things. Thanks again for your wonderfully inspiring post. I SO loved that story.
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writerwoman61
/ December 31, 2010I don’t do resolutions either, Laura…just an invitation to failure! I do have lots of things I’d like to accomplish in 2011…
Happy New Year to you and your family!
Wendy
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Laura Best
/ January 1, 2011Happy New Year, Wendy! Here’s hoping you accomplish all the things you’d like to in 2011.
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suzicate
/ January 1, 2011I love the idea of intentions rather than resolutions…I have never been good at keeping resolutions!
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Laura Best
/ January 1, 2011Most of us aren’t that good at keeping resolutions, myself included. Intentions feels better to me. 🙂
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Punam
/ January 1, 2011Happy 2011 to u as well, Laura! Hope the new year brings in a whole lot of cheer. 🙂
Love,
Punam
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Laura Best
/ January 1, 2011Thanks so much, Punam.I’m excited to read about what possibilitied this year will bring for all my blogging friends!
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Hilary MacLeod
/ January 1, 2011Thank you so much, Laura, for visiting my blog and for your encouraging comments over the past several months. I did respond briefly there, but now I’m here and have something to say about “possibilities” and surprises. It’s true that life is full of surprises — the one thing that doesn’t seem to diminish as one grows older. And surprises are good. I don’t believe in nasty surprises — that’s something else entirely (life is Bitter, Sweet). We’re open to more surprises online — reuniting with old friends long lost, but not forgotten; meeting new friends, and with them, exploring new possibilities. Happy New Year!
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Laura Best
/ January 1, 2011I always figure at the very least I can offer encouragement.
This has been a wonderful year for you, Hilary, and it’s been fun reading about all the success you’ve been having with your novel.
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joylene
/ January 1, 2011Remember when you were first married and that wonderful feeling of the endless possibilities of your journey together? You and your spouse were setting off and only God knew where you would end up. I feel that way on every January 1st since I was a young woman. Only one year came and went without that feeling, but that was grief. Today I feel like the sunrise I see across the lake at this precise moment: pink. Pink with delight.
I stopped making resolutions years ago, but I do like the idea of intentions. It is my intention this year to live every moment and not to let self-doubt keep me down.
Happy New Year, Laura. I look forward to reading all you have to write.
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Laura Best
/ January 1, 2011Thanks so much, Joylene. I’ve enjoyed visiting your blog this past year and having you visit mine. Gotta say Mum must be speed-reading with that magnifier of hers because she’s getting quite deep into your book and finding it VERY exciting!
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V.V. Denman
/ January 1, 2011“Intentions” sounds less intimidating. Almost do-able.
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Laura Best
/ January 1, 2011Much less intimidating..Agreed!
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Ev Bishop
/ January 1, 2011Yes, possibilities are everywhere–yay!
Happy New Year, Laura!
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Laura Best
/ January 1, 2011Here’s to possibilities and a good thing for that!! Happy New Year, Ev!!!!!!!
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donthangupthequill
/ January 2, 2011Happy New Year, Laura! May 2011 be bigger and better than ever!
-Abigail
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Laura Best
/ January 2, 2011Yes, May it be bigger and better for us all!!! Happy New Year!!
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Tracy
/ January 2, 2011Happy New Year. I’m a few days late in reading your post, but there are still 363 days of possibility out there. I better step away from this computer and start searching for them!
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Laura Best
/ January 2, 2011Absolutely, Tracy, 363 glorius days of endless possiblities. Isn’t it exciting?
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Laura Pauling
/ January 3, 2011What a wonderful way to look at it! Best of luck with Bitter, Sweet. And what a nice gift your family gave you.
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Laura Best
/ January 4, 2011Thanks, Laura! 🙂 I already feel like a winner!
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Madison Woods
/ January 5, 2011Love your definition of success, Laura – it’s the way I feel too. I’ve succeeded at some of the steps along the way so far, but haven’t reached the publishing part yet. I tend to look at success in phases… if it’s something I truly want to achieve, I don’t stop until I’ve reached success. So it’s not a matter of ‘if’ but a matter of ‘when’, lol.
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Laura Best
/ January 5, 2011I think looking at success in phases is an excellent way to go, Madison. Very few writers become that “overnight success” we hear tell of and then, we don’t know how many years it actually took for them to become that so-called “overnight success.” In the meantime, we need to celebrate our accomplishments, knowing that each one brings us that much closer to our dreams.
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