New Start to the New Year...

Well, I'm continuing to clean and purge.  I started going through all my boxes of Christmas decorations (and there are a lot) before, during, and now after the holidays.  I never realized just how much stuff I owned!  Shocking!  I hauled three huge boxes to the Idaho Youth Ranch, and have the ARC coming next week for more!  I've also set aside some things for St. Vincents.  I decided to spread around the donations since I have so much to pass on.

I have had an amazing start to this New Year.  I decided to participate in my church's annual "Daniel Fast".  I am on a modified version, but have given up Pepsi, pastries, most sugars other than fruit, butter (that's a hard one for me), chips, snack crackers... on and on!  I'm doing lean proteins, lots of vegetables, fruit, tea, and limited whole grains.  Also, I'm spending time each day reading along with the scriptures the Pastor selected for us.  It started with the fast, but we intend to continue reading our study Bibles, completing them by the end of the year.

The most important part of this experience was to set aside time to nurture my spirit.  I spend more prayer time, as well as the reading.  This isn't said as a "pat me on the back" because I'm being so devout.  It's just where I am right now.  I had been neglecting some areas of my spiritual life, so it was time for me to step up and make some changes.

It's like when I neglect areas of my home.  When the maintenance isn't done, things may just fall apart.   Life is hard enough when I remember to do my spiritual maintenance.  Why leave myself even more vulnerable?

For those of you following my MS... I am still not on any MS therapies, which makes my neurologist unhappy.  I am not at peace with the options they have given me.  I do believe in praying for healing, which I do.  I also have people who are constantly holding me in prayer.  I believe in praying for wisdom for my doctors and that's where I am right now.  Praying for their wisdom.  Praying for me to know what the next step is.  Praying that I could still have a miracle of healing.  It is all in God's hands, and that is the one thing I trust in completely! 

Blessings!
Nita Jo

Sunday Scribblings... December... and Manifesto

I have neglected my writing over the past few months.  I can't remember the last time I did a Sunday Scribblings piece.  I am posting today's together with the last one...

Manifesto...

This is a challenge for me.  I couldn't quite wrap my mind around it.  If I were to create a manifesto for myself, it would be very much like a list of resolutions; yet, I resolved not to make any resolutions this year.  A manifesto of my life.  What would that look like?  It is important to me to touch lives in a positive way.  I don't have the resources to make a massive impact on lives, but I do have the power to touch people in smaller, more intimate ways.  A smile in place of a complaint.  Giving a little more of myself.  Spreading bits of peace and joy to others.  Somehow, I think the world can be changed with one kind word, or deed, at a time.  Not really a manifesto I guess, but a dream, and a good one I think.

December...

This was the first December, in a long while, where I really wanted to throw myself into the holiday preparations and celebrations.  The Decembers of my childhood were lovely, festive times.  Christmas programs, caroling, parties, family... joy!  As an adult, you realize that much of what made December special is impacted by lack of money, loss of loved ones, too little time and/or energy... you lose the magic along the way, or at least I did.

Even though I wasn't able to participate in every event I wanted to, I made time to do some of the things that make December unique and special.  I wrote and mailed Christmas cards, bought gifts, spent time with family and friends.  I focused on my spiritual needs.  I listened to Christmas music, and made treats! I looked through old family photos and laughed as I remembered the good times.  I gave what I could to church and charity.  December joy is not automatic.  It takes effort to set aside the cynicism that creeps into our lives... to look for the things that brought us happiness... to cultivate joy.  It was worth every bit of effort I put into it.  I'm glad I found my "December" again.


I hope you enjoyed my two Sunday Scribblings offerings.  If you want to see some of my older SS writing, go Here.  If you'd like to read what other writers shared on these prompts, visit Sunday Scribblings.  To see my everyday writing go to my Home Page.


Copyright January 2, 2011 ajj

Happy New Year!

It's one hour into the new year at my house.  Two of our dear friends, Alan and DeAnn, just left for home.  We had such a fun evening.  It started with Chinese food at the Great Wall... a brand new one, just a short drive from my house.  Then we came back here for Dominoes, coffee, chocolate truffles, and lots of laughter. 

Life is made so much sweeter when you have good friends to share it with.  Friendship doesn't require a fancy home, riches, or a certain social status... it just requires sharing your time, a sense of humor, an open heart...

I am starting this new year with a renewed sense of hope and optimism.  I'm not making any particular resolutions.  I want to always look for the good in life, to appreciate each day I am given, to share my heart with those I love, and never forget how blessed I am. 

May you go into the New Year with anticipation, joy, and faith in the future.