Sunday, January 1, 2012

the year of just because...

Yep, that is what I have declared my 2012 to be. Just Because.

As in, I will buy that little something that reminds me of someone and send it "just because" I hope it will make her/him smile.

As in, I will not wait until Christmas to make the kids Fairy Drops but instead will bake them "just because" they think these cookies are a slice of heaven.

As in, I will read that book "just because" it's calling my name.

You get the idea.

Yeah, I know there's a huge pile of things I must do (homeschooling prep and the like), but this is my year to make a concerted effort to figure out the difference between the things that really are musts and the things I've added to that category that don't necessarily belong there. I think that this may be the very best thing I could do for myself, both in terms of my physical health and in terms of my mental health.

This doesn't mean that there aren't things I'm hoping to accomplish in 2012, of course. (But I making no resolutions!) I hope 2012 will see me:

--leaving our current abode and setting up the home of our dreams

--restarting Project Life and really following through for the whole year

--really diving in and relishing every minute spent with my happiness project (and my other projects, as well, but it's my happiness project that has a special place in my heart)

--continuing to find ways to live more sustainably and to be ever kinder to our beautiful planet and all its inhabitants, human and nonhuman alike

--adapting habits that will make me healthier

--blogging, both reading and posting, on a more regular basis

--saying goodbye to guilt over the things that won't get done (For example, I've decided that on my "just because" journey, I'm no longer going to get birthday gifts for those outside my immediate family...but yes, this makes me feel guilty. But I'm hoping that as the "just because" attitude starts blossoming that this guilt will subside.)

--appreciating all the small and wonderful moments that life throws my way

Yep, if I could conquer even a portion of those things, I think I would see my happiness quotient rise. And face it, I've already got soooooooo much to be happy about as it is.

And as I said yesterday, I hope that your 2012 finds you on a wonderful journey to make your dreams come true as well!!! HAPPY 2012...really, from the bottom of my heart.

12 comments:

Heather said...

That's my girl. So happy to read this!! We'll all be here to support you and love you, my dear Debi!!

Amanda said...

That is a fantastic way to live this year, and so perfect for what you need! I hope you have all the happiness imaginable in the new year. And the same to your beautiful family.

Somer said...

I love this idea & may adopt it myself!

DesLily said...

"just because" should be the way everyone feels!!

Happy 2012 Debi and Rich (etal) lol
I hope this is the year of more halppiness and less stress and sadness!!! heck. I'll drink to that! lol

Leslie @ This is the Refrain said...

Sounds like a perfect plan! I just have one New Year's Resolution myself: Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year. - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Kailana said...

Sounds like a great year in store for you, Debi!

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

I LOVE THIS!!!!!!! Seriously, I have a huge smile on my face and chills down my arms. What a great way to do things. I'm going to try and do a little more "just because" as well.

Happy new year Debi.

Jean said...

I love it! Of course, should you start to backslide, we shall all hit you with the comment "JUST BECAUSE!!!" Happy New Year! Happy New You!

Linda said...

Can I just tell you that your "just because" has given me a great idea? I need to do more of the just because, especially for my immediate family, and in our homeschooling. I think that this idea might even make me be more kind and caring to myself, and when the caregiver is cared for, so are those she cares for. Happy New Year!
Linda
Homeschooling one child online, for five years, with a little help from the online writing tutor!

Debi said...

Heather,
Thank you, sweetie! You've no idea how much that means to me.

Amanda,
Thank you so much! I hope you know I wish the exact same thing for you and your precious family!

Somer,
I definitely think you should!

Pat,
I agree! And I'll drink to that, too! :D

Lu,
I saw that on your blog--and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!! :D

Kelly,
I certainly hope so. And I hope you have a super fantastic 2012 in store yourself, too!

Trish,
I know I've told you this before, but Trish, my dear, you have such a gift for making me smile! I hope you do add some "just because" to your life as well. I think it's going to be good for the soul. :D

Jean,
LOL--and thank you!!! Please follow through on that threat, okay? :D

Linda,
I think there's so much wisdom in what you said about taking care of the caregiver! Why is it so easy for us to forget that? Have a wonderful 2012!

Carl V. Anderson said...

I've tried really hard to live by the "just because" way of thinking. And when I do it successfully it does make life so much more richly rewarding.

Eva said...

Yay Debi! :D