Over the last few months I have been waxing lyrically about the importance of accepting that all of us are accountable for the state we find our world in. We are accountable for all the many small and large problems. It is our responsibility to do something to rectify the damage.We are also accountable for the numerous good and positive things that happen in our world – people helping people; children being protected from horrendous abuse and pain; children learning to say the word “Sorry” and meaning it; adults learning that to say “Sorry” is not a sign of weakness, rather a sign of strength.
I am not a believer in New Year’s resolutions. I cannot understand why we must wait for the end of one year before we can atone for or make some headway into improving and healing a situation or ourselves. However, this coming New Year, I will resolve to make more of an effort than I made in this year to continue to see the good – the good changes in the way children are educated and raised; the good works carried out throughout the country by people who wish to make real differences.
I am tired of being a grumpy old woman. I certainly have proved the saying that misery feeds on itself. I can grumble about how much better things were in the past and mean it, and then wonder why I am such a grinch. So this time, I want to do it better.
This means that there will be many times when I will have to bite my tongue, because until I get accustomed to saying positives, I will have a whole store of negatives to chew up and swallow. I will revert to seeking the light instead of the dark places. In fact I will become so cheery, I may be asked to please, get miserable again.
We will see.
Next year I want to do at least one positive or helpful thing every month. That doesn’t seem like much, but for me it will be a real challenge, as I can always find a reason for not doing anything.
I want to be a better grandparent. I struggle with being second-best. I am so used to other people listening to me and taking my sage advice that I sort of assumed my daughter would do the same thing. Why should she? She has her methods and needs to try them out. She understands what children need and what makes them happy. She also understands the importance of firm but friendly boundaries. So I must step back and become the reserve. You never know, I might actually enjoy it more than being on the front line.
I will keep you posted!
Happy New Year.