The Resolution

From Dictionary.com:

"resolution - the act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure, etc."

I like resolutions. I like them best when I can keep them. As January 1 approaches each year, I carefully weigh each of my ideas and try to determine which is most worthy of being my New Year's Resolution.

In talking with a friend of mine in late December, I confessed my anguish over trying to choose from the many worthy resolution ideas I had been tossing around. Here are a few: practicing guitar, practicing piano, practicing Spanish, practicing yoga (I know, a lot of practicing), organizing the house, eating organic, and writing regularly. Well, this very wise friend said to me, "What if you resolved to do one of those things each month? You don't have to do the same thing for the whole year."

Brilliant. I don't have to choose just one thing, I can choose 12!

Well, it's not all set in stone for the whole year, but for January, I have chosen to spend 15 minutes each day organizing. It's one of my secret passions, and you can frequently find me organizing a cupboard with the same amount of satisfaction and guilty pleasure as a kid who locked himself in the closet with the cookie jar.

Today my task was organizing my canning jars and lids. I happily sorted all of them into neat rows based on capacity and lid size. Then, I packaged them up in cardboard boxes, clearly labeled the boxes, and stacked them back on the shelf where they previously sat. Now everything is in stackable containers, easy to access, and ready to go when I need them. I also managed to throw out some really rusty lids (why did I keep them?) and a plethora of those plastic containers that strawberries and blueberries come in. I saved 4, but threw away about 10. I don't think I will ever EVER have a need for 14 containers like that. It felt great.

I was tempted to start the next organizing project, but decided to stay strong and hold out until tomorrow. This is fun!

It IS almost tomorrow, though. Only 1.5 hours away. So, I could technically start tomorrow's organizing project before bed tonight...., right? :) It would only take 15 minutes...

I am rich!

"We don't have to define wealth in terms of money. Why not define it by relationships, friendships and community well-being?" -- John D. Ivanko

If I define wealth in terms of friendships, I recognize that I am rich indeed. This week I have been blessed with time around some amazing friends. Last night Zac and I spent the evening with two of our friends who feel like family to us. What a gift it is to sit in the presence of friends and be comfortable with conversation or times of companionable silence. To be relaxed enough to let all sides of your personality show, even the awkward parts that you try to hide from others. What a relief to open yourself up, knowing that you will be loved no matter what you say or do.

This morning I had the pleasure of meeting a life-long friend for breakfast. For two hours we sat in the morning sunlight at Bruegger's Bagels and chatted vigorously, catching up on all that had happened in our lives in recent weeks and discussed all that was to come. I think we could have talked the whole day away!

It is an incredible feeling to walk away from time spent with friends and feel your heart smiling. What a joy to not recognize the cold air around you because you're reflecting on the warm conversation and thinking about the next time you can be around those friends.

I am rich.

More Photos

I've been working on a photo project for a client of mine. Can you guess what his company does? Special thanks to our friend Peter from church for being my model. :)

Our time with Julia

We visited Lake Harriet on a GORGEOUS fall day. One of the beautiful fall days Julia saw while she was here!

We went hiking around the twin cities together multiple times.
We celebrated Julia's 24th birthday with a homemade apple pie (it was Julia's and my first time making one!) and a gorgeous cake made by our friend Anne.

We took a boat cruise and got to see the St. Paul skyline and some fall colors!

We worked hard one Saturday on the farm to make apple juice. We made about 30 gallons! Yum!

Found My Peace Again

My hands, still spotted with dirt, hung up the rake in the garage. Satisfied with my yardwork, I brushed my hands on my pants and prepared to go inside. Something wouldn't let me. Maybe it was the setting sun casting light pinks and yellows across the fall clouds. Maybe it was the pleasantly warm air and its absence for so long. Who knows.

My feet led me to the front steps. The cement was cool on my hands as I eased myself down to sit. I sat. I listened. I watched.

Some kids walked by, as did the man who faithfully runs the neighborhood streets. I see him almost every day with his puppy running ahead on the leash and his big headphones on his ears. His gray hair seems longer today...maybe he'll get it cut soon.

An older man with no hair walked by in a red coat. As he passed he pulled a tissue out of his pocket to wipe his nose. The air does have a crispness about it this afternoon.

I watched the leaves of my neighbors' trees through the empty branches of ours. They pointed to which way the wind was blowing. They were somewhat sparse on the tree - almost as if it were spring but their color told otherwise.

Ah, and there's the feeling. Peace. Quiet and calm. Where have you been?

I settle in, leaning against the stucco of the garage and stretching my legs out in front of me on the top step. I lay my head against the wall and close my eyes. I breathe deeply.