Adios 2012!

The Earth is completing it's 365 day journey around the sun, and another year comes to a close.

I am SO glad this year is over.

Here's to creating something better in 2013!

Continuing on with a tradition I started several years ago (read more about it here) I have dubbed this year the year of pain.  I know that sounds harsh and cold, but it is the truth.  There have been so many painful experiences this year, both physical and mental, I can't even begin to explain it.  2012 was hard and painful and unpleasant in so many ways.  I wouldn't wish the pain I've been through on anyone.

While 2012 was a painfully uncomfortable year, there is one big upside to pain.  It makes you appreciate the good that much more.  Cause while there was a tremendous amount of pain this year, there was also some good.  And maybe it's because of all that pain that the good feels that much more special.

I know that the pain of 2012 won't end at the stroke of midnight, but I am hoping that as we move through 2013, it lessens a little bit every day.  And I'm going to continue trying to take things one day at a time.

You Can Say That Again

You can say that again.

No, really.  You can.

I don't know about you, but I do NOT want to re-experience what I've already lived through.  Not again.  Once was painful enough.

365 Days of Giving Thanks

Day 36 - Friday 12/21/12 - I am so thankful that the week is over.  It was one of the longest weeks of my teaching career.  I'm looking forward to a week off, as I'll be refreshed and eager to go back in January!

Day 37 - Saturday 12/22/12 - I am grateful I have a warm home.  It was bitter outside during our dog walks.

Day 38 - Sunday 12/23/12 - I am grateful for the spots of sunshine that filled my house this morning.  Made for a great dog walk, too!

Day 39 - Monday 12/24/12 - Appreciation for my therapist is running at an all time high today.  I am so lucky to have her on my team.

Day 40 - Tuesday 12/25/12 - Today's gratitude goes to my dog.  He's the only one that I can cuddle with without feeling silly!

Day 41 - Wednesday 12/26/12 - Much appreciation to whoever cancelled cause that cancellation meant I got a much needed extra session with my therapist today.

Day 42 - Thursday 12/27/12 - I am thankful that today I was able to enjoy a calm dinner with my parents, aunt, and grandma.  Calm and parents don't usually go in the same sentence!

Waiting

Ugh.  My therapist said something very similar to me this last week.  She brought up the whole idea of "fake it till ya make it" which is a very popular and much-used slogan in the 12-step world.

And let me tell you it's exhausting.  It takes so much effort for me to "fake it" that by the time I get home, all I want to do is sleep.  It seems like it shouldn't be this much work!  I know, I know, change is NOT easy.

Especially when you despise change the way I seem to.  I do like to hang back and say things like, "I'll try that when I feel better."  Or, "I'm not ready to try that yet."

You know what I'm talking about.  So does my therapist.

Avoidance.

If nothing changes, then nothing changes.  

And something's gotta change.

Act 1

The unknown recipient of Act 1.

Today we are in the middle of our first snow storm of the season, and boy, is it yucky out there!  Perfect day to try those new sweet potato curly fries at Burger King.  (Drive through, of course!)  Upon pulling up to the window, I told the cashier that I also wanted to pay for the person's order behind me.  This act is dedicated to Charlotte Bacon, age 6.

Charlotte loved animals and the color pink.  Charlotte was the little girl who begged to wear her new pink dress and boots to school the day of the shooting, which were supposed to be for Christmas.  But her mother relented, and little red-headed, bubbly Charlotte wore them to school that day.

26 Acts

You may have heard of something called "#26Acts" floating around cyberspace the past few weeks.  It's a movement sweeping the country as a way to pay tribute to those lost in the tragedy in Newtown just a few short weeks ago.

Many people, myself included, do random acts of kindness regularly, with no reason needed.  To me, though, this is different.

Ann Curry started it with a tweet:

And it spiraled into a movement that you can read more about here and on their Facebook page here.

You'll notice that the tweet sent 10 days ago (shocking that it's only been 10 days) was for 20 acts.  That was for the children.  It swelled to include the educators, as well.  In a nutshell, people all over the country (and the world, actually) are doing a random act of kindness for each of the victims.  Ironically, today is the 26th of the month.  The perfect day to start my 26 intentional acts in honor of 26 people whose lives were cut short.

I'm in.  

Are you?