Christmas is over, now what?

There was a lot of excitement for Christmas to come, and I imagine some dread. Well, it's over, now what? We have the New Year to look forward to in a few days. I personally don't make resolutions, but am curious as to whether anybody has any feelings or thoughts for the new year 2017.

I just hope to become healthier mentally and physically. I told Joyce I was going to stop smoking. I plan to follow through with it. I been waiting on the right mindset, but I might have to try otherwise. I hope to keep active though the warmer months outside with walking. That always makes me feel good.

I am sure I will have more positive changes come to mind. If and when I do, I will post.

Let me know if you all have any ideas or plans for the year 2017.

I hope people reply... Maybe we can inspire each other.

Hugs, Karen...

Death is part of the cycle of life.

I believe in celebrating the of the person passed. Passing on whatever, kindness, compassion and or joy they gave the world.

i.e. G M was a quiet philanthropist.

Awesome Trina, I too have been thinking about the lap blankets. Thinking is as far as it got. There is a nursing home about ten miles from me that I could most likely donate to. I like your idea of the beach towels and hankies.

Hats is cool too. I have yet to make one. Ha...

Peter, is there anything you want to change for the new year? Or improve upon? This is a time for that, though I know change is hard for all of us. Just kind of throwing it out there.

Hugs to all!!!

Karen...

Well, I'm not convinced 2017 will bring forth any changes; I know there are things you can change as a person, like your diet and general routine, but nothing else changes. It is just another year. My sister for example has an appeal hearing in under a month which will continue to stress the family out, and I also have to be in court again as well, and I suspect they'll just sentence me to another pointless CPO. Since I don't receive any support, I'm frustrated and bored, as you know. I'll be 31 in January, and I just don't want to grow old, having wasted more years dwelling on stuff that cannot be changed.

Since I'm pro OCD with stuff like this, I've considered doing a marathon run of every 70's Billboard Hot 100 hit from 1970 to 1979. Despite being a massive fan of the era, I've not heard absolutely everything released from that time-period in the United States. I've heard a lot of songs from these years, sure, but not every hit is familiar to my ears, and that should be changed. I'm not sure about going through lists of songs from the 50's or the 60's, as that stuff is maybe a bit too old for my personal taste. There's a lot of 60's music that is just amazing though. It's just what you prefer, really.

Jamie, I think it is good you looking for a new group. Thank kind is change is positive when a person is ready.

I have always said. "the only this constant in life is change". I have not idea where the original quote came from but it sure is true.

I looking forward to the possibility of reducing therapy to every 2 weeks late in the year and starting to sell canvas's at art shows.

Where my abuse was severe and overwhelming is an understatement, I need to start living more for now, just being in the moment is not enough for me, more and more. I want more out of life again.

Peter, I think the run is a good start, accept the people you meet for who they are.

You may want to practice active listening at the event. We learn so much from people when we just listen. Here is a link to read. I hope you find it interesting.

/www.mindtools.com/CommSkll/ActiveListening.htm

Peace all
Trina

yes, life style, life, a way of being that is best for you, (us) is the key.

Yes, "Christmas" is over but that doesn't mean we can't keep the 'spirit of Christmas' around.

All of my decorations are down. The cat 'helped' with the tree. I'll have to wait for a dry day to pack it all back up, but it's down.

I've replaced the colored lights with all white lights, put blue and silver and white ornaments on the bare branches outside, replaced the 'Christmas' decorations with Snowmen all along the street side of the trailer and set up 3 sets of 5 small white spiral trees. The way I see it...why should there be nothing to look at for the rest of the dreary winter?

I have plans for red lights and hearts for February as well.

I enjoy doing this and my neighbors all like it too! They are always curious as to what I will put on display next.

Meanwhile, indoors, the amaryllis is in full bloom and the paperwhites are just about to pop. I've gotten another amaryllis to start, this one is white with a pink blush like an apple blossom!

I don't make 'resolutions' but do plan on getting back on track with the upgrades to the house and my regular cleaning schedule.

Great thread, hearing what people are planning.

My primarily goal is to practice gratitude more consciously. I feel that I want to be more mindful of things in my life, not just take things for granted, which sometimes happen. I think taking one day at time too is a goal.

Good luck to everyone in the new year.

I want to help people more.

I just stopped at a neighbors house who lives alone and I met her briefly the other day.

I said, "I wanna give you a note." And she said, "A note?"

I said, "Yeah, a note with my name and phone number on it. I live alone, also, and I know what that's like."

Meaning, isolation can destroy you.

The note also had the name and number of a handyman who lives on a nearby street who I use. Can fix anything, or knows somebody who can.

I wanna be more pro-active. I don't wanna wait till something happens and then wish I had done something.

Oh, she came out of her house in the late afternoon in her jammies. Treating me like a neighbor already. Progress. Except she has a man-eating dog.

I love reading this thread.

Motivates me to work on myself and i plan to fix my sleep and schedule this year.

My lifestyle is terrible,no exercise at all,

Its contributing to stress and depression.

TT you are right on about getting isolated .

I miss my folks as holidays are done with.

I feel very lonely always in January.

Also getting fever and flu twice in past 3 months is wreaking havoc on my mind and body.

Anyways gratitude is always nice.

Joan i love corn bread!!!!!!yummy

Tim Tam, that sounds wonderful! How thoughtful of you to share with your neighbor!

So many new folks have been moving in here. I typed up a list of local grocery stores and directions to them, made copies to hand out as a welcome. Let them know which food places deliver to our neighborhood too. Seems to be appreciated.

In summer, I share the abundance from my little vegetable garden. Not everyone has a 'green thumb' and I'm trying to get those of us that do to set up a table where we can put out veggies for those that can use them. I usually have way too many cherry tomatoes!

Pitmom:

Thanks for the nice words.

Glad you're into sharing your garden veggies, makes it a neighborhood project.

Gives you an excuse to welcome them into the neighborhood.

The ones who live alone might need a friend in a difficult time; might want to revisit those every now and then let them know they can call you.

Living alone, you can get in a difficult situation and you don't have anyone you can turn to and say, "Hey, what do you think?"

Might let them know they can call or visit you.