Happy New Year

"Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose."

~Lyndon B. Johnson

I admit that I haven't written for a while.  Please forgive me.  However, I doubt that many readers, followers or clickers have wondered why or what I've been up to.

It goes almost without saying, that I have had bolts of inspirational lightning, then I backspace and erase the thoughts .... after all, what may be important to me, may not be for others.  Right?  

Social media is a great way to be a creative thinker or a curator of interesting thoughts, beautiful images or thought provoking quotes.

A blog is a wonderful way to share your knowledge with others.  The compensation is the amount of comments, likes or shares it inspires.  I can't say that my blog has ever caught on in a big way.  Although, I am thankful for those that have loyally read my new posts, subscribe or share the content.  It shows that it isn't a complete waste of viral space.  Fast approaching 100,000 views is no small accomplish!

Switching gears a little.  This past year was one of constant change unfolding a new phase in my life.   It was not always easy, yet the challenges continue to inspire how much there was to learn from.

"One day, in retrospect, the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful."

~ Sigmund Freud

Often, we can't wait to say adios to the year passing and rush towards celebrating a clean slate.  If there is any a time of optimism, it is the clock's stroke of midnight to signal yesterday is behind us ... while tomorrow promises everlasting love, richness, happiness and health.

To close the door on yesterday, we must do it softly.  Not dwell on failing, disappointments, pennies short or dreams broken.  If we are to embrace the excitement, optimism and inspiration a clear beginning offers, we should be thankful for life's lessons and applaud that we have endured. 

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

It is with mixed emotions, not the exuberance I thought would unfold, as this new phase in life joins "empty-nester".   Gone are the days of being ATM, banker, boss, cheerleader, collector, cook, curfew setter, disciplinarian, event planner, feminist, janitor, lecturer, listener, loan shark, matriarch, mother, nagger, preacher, soccer mom, taxi driver, teacher, referee,  role model, travel agent, VISA holder and watch.

If you play your cards right, you can still be many of those things.  If you lived your life right, others will be thankful that you did.  If you think positively, you will look forward to the many things to do again.  You should realize that they are not all so bad.  If you are wise, you will embrace what you discovered about yourself.

As a newly crowned empty-nester, more realizations unfold: 

• if there are dirty dishes in the sink, they are your own;
• if the laundry is loaded on top of the dryer, it isn't because someone else tossed your's up there to make room for their own;
• if you can't fall asleep, it may be from evening coffee, not waiting up for anyone to arrive home late for a lecture and stern expression. 
• if the leftovers in the fridge mold, it isn't from doggy bags brought home never to be eaten.
• if it seems too quiet, it is because there isn't an entourage over playing music too loud or strumming banjos or guitars
• having a few come over, may mean more pillows, covers and sleepovers.

"I want my children to have all the things I couldn't afford.  Then I want to move in with them."

~Phyllis Diller

There are many joyous discoveries in store:

• Watch others grow into characters of substance
• Be amazed at the knowledge uncovered
• Find joy in the love, peace others discover
• Cherish every moment as though it will last forever
• Your clothes, shoes or makeup won't secretly go missing
• Leftovers are because you made too much, not to worry about having too little
• The change in your wallet or pockets, will still be there
• If the phone rings, you don't brace for bad news, smile and say hello
• You may not have grandkids, you treat your dog as if he were one
• To someone, you may be the world's best - cook, listener, or talker

There you have it:  taking a chapter from my own philosophy.  Reflect on the positive, find those nuggets buried within challenges or obstacles.  Smile at what you enjoyed, hold on to the memories.  Be thankful for what you have learned from others or about yourself.  Look forward to doing and having what you want.  Be wiser to avoid the people or things that bring you down.   Every day you live, is your happy new year!

Happy New Year (and warm wishes) !!!

~ Jeannette aka +optioneerJM @optioneerJM

"In order to carry a positive action we must develop first a positive vision."

~Dalai Lama

Are you on the outside looking in? What are your thoughts?  What do you have in store for 2015?