January 01, 2018

Celebrations, Puppy Love and the Importance of Finding Focus


Hello friends and Happiest New Year to you! Time seems to be passing in a blur. Is it that way for you too? So much has happened since we last met that it seems overwhelming to find a starting place so I will just start here, today.


Since last we met, I celebrated a birthday (47), we had a cozy, quiet Christmas and had our share of joys and challenges -just the every day kind that life brings to all of us. Also, since last we met, we added to our family. This is Clover. She is a 3 month old golden who has been sharing our lives for the last 2 1/2 weeks. Can you tell who is winning the battle of the sofa? Having a new puppy in the house has shaken up our routine a lot and I honestly am in survival mode many days, much like bringing home a newborn. However, with a newborn you don't have to take it outside to potty every 30 minutes in the arctic weather. These days I'm finding it hard to string two logical thoughts together as I apparently need calm and quiet to process things lately. Two things in short supply right now. She is adorable, sweet, busy and occasionally like a whirling dervish.


This fresh new year is more welcome than any I have had in a long time. I spent most of last year feeling like my life was happening to me, as if I were nothing but a bystander. Some of that was circumstance, some was survival, overwhelm and a general lack of energy to fully participate in my every day life. There were entire months that are lost to me from last year. Well, 2017 is now behind me and I want more and better for myself in 2018. This year I'm choosing to focus on living my life in a way that is intentional. Last year life happened to me. This year I plan to have a voice in shaping my days, weeks and months. While there were absolutely lovely things that came from 2017, and I am happy to bring those memories and lessons into 2018, I need to feel like I am an active participant in my life again.


I'm looking forward to being more in the moment, choosing to use my time, resources and energy in ways that bring greater peace, joy and satisfaction this year. Letting go of things both physical and emotional, that have held me back or have prevented me from being my best self. I'm sure I will get a better sense of what being intentional means in my life as I start down this journey.


I'm certain, living intentionally for me will include more things I love like creating, learning and focusing on my home and less things like screen time, procrastination and disorganization.


And while I plan to spend less time in front of screens, falling down internet rabbit holes that don't add to my quality of life, I do plan to spend more time here in my corner of the internet, recording the joys I plan to collect along the way in 2018.

I wish you all a beautiful, happy, peaceful, healthy new year. I wish you mountains of love and blessings, time, energy and money to spend on the things that matter to you, all of what you need and enough of what you want. And more than anything I thank you for coming back here to visit, for taking a moment to say hello and for supporting me through the ups and downs of a life well lived.

16 comments:

  1. As usual, your thoughts echo a lot of my own. I am also working on some focused intentions for the New Year, and some changes in myself (my word for the year is change). If you're at all interested in reading and learning more along these lines, I highly suggest looking up Jen Louden and Susannah Conway. Susannah has a private FB going right now, too called Gentle January - with photo and journaling prompts.

    Clover looks so adorable and sweet. I hope she's helping to mend your broken hearts.

    Happy and Healthy New Year!

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  2. Jen, I was nodding my head in understanding and agreement throughout your post. I wish so much of this for both of us. I will email you more later. Before I forget, did you get my package? Susan

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  3. This is a wonderful post, Jen, and I am sure many of us can echo your thoughts on many levels. I look forward to seeing more posts from you in 2018 and wish you blessings and unexpected joy in 2018. xo Diana

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  4. Happy New Year and enjoy your creative time this year...and love that puppy of yours too cute!

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  5. I am facing a health issue and I want to be brave like you. Thank you for your love of family and showing us what is important. Doris

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  6. Ok, first Clover is adorable! We go back and forth here trying to decide on a dog or not. I hope 2018 is exactly how you want it to be
    xo

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    1. Do it! Get the dog. We were on the fence for SO LONG. But our little Daisy has been a blessing and brought so much joy to our house.

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  7. You inspire me so much! This year I am going to schedule a Wednesday sacred day like you have done. Wonderful!
    I love dogs and so happy that you found your new Clover - adorable!
    Can you share where the cute little house (is it a pin?) came from? It is so cute!

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  8. Yes, 2017 was physically and emotionally a rough one for you. I’m old enough to be your mother, dont you just hate it when people say that haha anyway one thing for certain is we continue to evolve and grow with each year. You hit a point where you know you can’t take things for granted. Also, that we have the right to live intentionally. I trained a couple puppies in the winter, that’s really hard!! Happy 2018 may it be everythin you and your family hope for.

    Kathy
    Kcarr (instagram)

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  9. Oh yes, 2017 was a roller coaster for us too and also happy to put it behind and look forward to a new year, full of new possibilities! Adorable pup -- but yes, they are like newborns, esp when you have to get up at 2 am to take them out for potty! Clover is so cute! Hoping for a wonderful year for you and your sweet family!

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  10. Blessings to you Jen,
    I hope you feel the love and appreciation we all send to you. You are a comforting reminder of what is important in life.
    Love and light, Jennifer

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  11. We just finished fostering a baby golden for 2 months and it was a whirlwind. (He is a service dog in training, and we did the little puppy phase so that dear friends who have little kids would be able to do the rest. They couldn't puppyraise otherwise.) I keep wondering why I hadn't accomplished more than I did, why Christmas preparations were farther behind than ever before when theoretically I had more time since I was no longer homeschooling. Ah! Puppy! Clover is adorable...so worth it. Happy new year to you!

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  12. This is such a thoughtful post, and I can relate to it, especially about spending too much time in front of a screen and falling down rabbit holes (I find I do that every time I log onto Pinterest). Your yarns are so pretty, and I bet you'll make some beautiful things this year! Please share them with us here on your blog. I'd love to see them!

    Happy New Year!
    xo,
    Ricki Jill

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  13. This post really resonated with me. I hope 2018 is everything you're hoping for and more. Happy New Year!

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  14. This is a beautiful post, Jen, and relevant to many of us, I'm sure. Being intentional to give time to what we, and only we enjoy, without the outside world intruding... or second guessing what we are doing. Life is tough, we need to find calm and rest. You, especially, have been through a very huge upheaval in your life. I so get why and how you want to make 2018 the best ever. You have triumphed in a huge and grateful way.

    Just my personal thoughts, and I think you know--while you pursue your loves, and try to make up for lost time and intentions; make your goals also about taking time to rest, whether it be sleeping late, a midday nap, breakfast in bed, or a day of just lolling around. Remember you CAN do this, you deserve it!!!

    Sending love and hugs. I so enjoy seeing your posts in my mail!

    Happy New Year, dear friend!

    Jane x

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