Tuesday 6 January 2009

Hip Hip Hip













This was to be a simple post and it was to be posted on New Years Day. But just like happens in real life; life gets in the way. I was hit with the worst stomach flu imaginable, my good friend Carol is dying in the hospital (colon cancer), I was in the hospital for pamidronate, and I am sickened by what is happening in Gaza. But like a typical North American my attention does not dwell long on these matters.

This was to be a positive post and it still will be. Actually it will be a real post and things in life are a mixture of the pretty and the ugly.

“Tell me a story, Pew.”

What story, child?

“One that begins again.”

That’s the story of life.

“But is it the story of my life?”

Only if you tell it.

~~ Anonymous ~~

A new year, can you believe it? I don’t do resolutions (I make them, I just don’t do them) but I do have hopes and dreams and they boil down to one thing; life. My goal for 2009 is to live and see 2010.

I am looking forward to the change this world needs – Bush/Cheney out of office (they should both be brought before The Hague for war crimes). Please Obama, be who we all hope you are.

The one thing a new year (just like a new day) brings is the opportunity to start fresh, a brand new story to be written on a brand new slate. Even though reality presses in on me from all sides, I can’t but feel hopeful at the beginning of a new year.

I am looking forward to change; a change of pace and a change of self. Within that change is a hope that I can get it right, that I can be a better person than I have been, the hope that I can be a better mother than I have been. I want to feel inspired once again; I want to remember how it feels to shake things up. I want, I want, I want. I am hoping for less of the difficult and more of the good.

I believe that change starts within oneself and usually begins with one step. Almost everything I have ever done has been because I just put one foot in front of the other.

Allow no one to define you, even when, or especially when you are made to be something grander than you are. I make a conscious effort to listen to what I think and believe and say to myself when no one else is in the room. I am the only person who can decide if I am a worthwhile person.

I remind myself to believe in myself. While I am able I need to go to the trouble to discover my own potential. I need to have the courage to stand up for what I believe in and to have the heart and the wisdom to know how to speak out.

At this stage in my life it is very important that the relationships I have be real. If not, there is no point. I want you to know me and I want to know you. I know who I am on the inside and I am happy that you also know who I am. I am one and the same to myself and to you.

I try to make the most with what I have. I look fear in the face always recalling from the Dune books ‘Fear is the mind-killer.’

One of the great skills and knacks of life is to see beauty in everything. I try and life is really pretty darn amazing. Life isn’t always pretty though – bad things happen remember – but it is almost always made up of something pretty heartfelt and genuine. There is always within the beauty something that describes what it means to be alive.

We have to enjoy the moments of our lives, before they too will only be a memory. Enjoy the present, the right now, before it is gone.

My wish for my children in this new year is that each night when they lay their heads down on their pillows all their cares of the day will slip away. Dream the dreams of children my children. Let each day worry about itself and sleep in peace knowing that all your needs will be met, sleep in peace knowing that you are loved, and sleep in peace knowing that tomorrow will be full of new possibilities.

2009 seems like a good year for enlightened discussion and opportunities for compassion, so let’s go for it.

Hip hip hip, three cheers to our lives on these new days in this new year.

20 comments:

Julie said...

I loved this post! I haven't had any time to sit myself down and make some resolutions yet, but when I do I think I will write them the way you wrote down your wishes for 2009.

Again, I am so glad you found me in the gigantic internet universe. I have already learned so much from you, and look forward to another year of admiring you and your writing!

Noreen said...

Sorry to hear that you were sick, again.
I love the picture you chose. What I see (in the picture) as I read your blog, Is that life is still beautiful in spite of the ups and downs.
You, Renee, have a wonderfully beautiful spirit within that radiates out to all those who have the privilege of having you on their life's journey. I have been blessed.

Love Noreen

Renee said...

Noreen and Julie:

I think we have all mutually been blessed with each other. Thank God for small mercies.

Love you. Renee

GlorV1 said...

Hope you are feeling better Renee. I had a flu shot so hopefully I won't get it. That was a wonderful post and that spirit of yours carries over to your readers. I hope you have a great week. Take care.

Anonymous said...

Hi Renee, I was on the way to the post office on the bus with my daughter and she fell asleep. Back to school must be too much, bless. So got off the bus near my home. I couldn't carry her as I had a couple of shopping bags and her head was swaying as she walked back home. Going to the post office tomorrow.
I should of gone during the day, I fell asleep too.
Going to school is too much for me, lol!
I do hope you have a great year, you certainly deserve too. To see as many years as possible in.
God bless you! Luv and hugs! Julie-ann

angelique said...

Three cheers for a peaceful, healthy and a conciously awareness filled year.

A Spoonful Of Sugar said...

What a beautiful post - life is certainly full of up and downs but we all can do with the reminder to see the possibilities in each new day and make all our relationships count! Praying for Carol and her family, and hope your stomach flu settles down quickly!

Anonymous said...

Horray! Such great words...
I don't do resolutions either...but I do refresh my mind and I no longer want to be afraid to live for me, or what I believe in. I love that you offer your thoughts on this blog for me to be inspired each day! Happy New Year!!

Heather said...

I agree, we need change in so many ways. We all need hope and the ability to hope for the best. 2008 was such an odd and dark year for so many. I hope that 2009 brings back some light.
Happy new year to you!~~

Anonymous said...

i am sorry to hear about your friend renee .... my prayers go out to her and her family.

jacquie

on a seperate note.....
here's to a year with good healthy changes.....i am gearing up for it myself... heres to truths,kindness,happiness,compassion and a more energized active life.

together strong
jacquie

Emerald Arts said...

So true, self-belief... or at least knowing who you are, takes a lot of work to come to, but is vital once you find it.

I just finished reading Love-Cholera. Completely amazing book. It is so freaking hot here that I can't write anything more on it, but I loved reading your resolutions and wanted to say so.

<3 Em

Flor Larios Art said...

Hip Hip Hip for you!
I hope you are feeling better and I am sorry to hear about your friend in the hospital.
Your writings are so beautiful! I love your blog.
Thank you so much for visiting mine and for bidding on the angels.
Take care.
hugs,
Flor

Anonymous said...

WOW, I sit in wonder of the Beautiful women, mother, grandmother, sister and friend you are to many people and I find myself wondering (keeping it real), how does one look at their own mortality and keep such deep rooted selflessness to please others.

You truly are such an amazing person, one I am proud of and selfishly call my own!

I too hope for the 2010 to ring in with you and to promise you more years to follow, year after year after year…

Love you into 2010 and into eternity!
Colette

Anonymous said...

Hip,hip, Hooray! 2009 is here!Your reflections are amazing, so deep, so selfless,and so real.I love reading your posts. They so inspire me.I hope to be more clear in defining myself this year, and change one step at a time. Wishing you a blessed 2009.
Love, Barb

Anonymous said...

"listen to your heart"

with hugs and 2,009 - 2,010 - 2,011 - 2,012 - 2,013 - 2,014 - 2,015 - 2,016 - 2,017 - 2,018 - 2,019 - 2,020 - etc. - etc. kisses ...

Your wish for your children was most beautiful - I loved it!

Ronnie said...

Hi Renee!
I hope today is a good day for you and you're feeling a bit better. Prayers for your friend.
Beautify post today and yesterday.
I need a bit of level headed intelligence in my life. So, you're a very good thing for me.
Look forward to tomorrow.
LOts of Love,
Ronnie

Anonymous said...

Renee,what a beautiful thought from Jacquie, "Together strong". It makes me weep.
Love you both, Barb

bernthis said...

I am so moved by this post. I have learned only recently that I can only be pushed so far and what is most important is that I like me, not who else likes me. Thank you.

mansuetude said...

this is so beatiful, and truly humbling... Blessings to you and your family in all things.

Cheryl Cato said...

Lovely and heartfelt. I will be checking by in with you.