Go with the flow

I predict that I will be busy this year. I know that I won't be able to do everything on time and to perfection. I'm hoping that 80% will be good enough for most things. I do have to rely on others for some things, and because of this, my New Year's Resolution will be to 'go with the flow'. 

Mr B is suitably sceptical, but I'm going to give it my best shot. I intend to be more zen. To stick my fingers in my ears (metaphorically speaking) when I am in the company of negative people. And to smile and nod when someone says something quite daft and obviously confrontational.

You will get no rise from me this year. I will not rant (much). I will instead respond with barbed blog posts to show my displeasure.

I will also praise and thank more. I will be grateful for gestures of kindness, and I will reciprocate.

I will endeavour to be a light, which will attract other like-minded people.

But, above all, I will breathe deeply, count to ten, and simply 'go with the flow'.

See 'Be More Dog' at Surrey Life blogs.

Make time

Someone close to me wastes time moaning about having no time. It drives me mad. I spend my life making time and avoiding time thieves.

So, I have decided that my New Year's Resolution will be to 'make time'. Now, I don't mean meddling with the fourth dimension. I mean, we should all make time for the important things in life.

I never realised how much I could do before Mom got ill. My comfortable life was snatched from under my feet and overnight, my time was not my own. And yet, I still had to go to work, do experiments, teach, be nice to people, be nice to my husband! And believe me, there were days when I was exasperated with people around me, days when I wanted to yell at them 'Don't you know my mother is dying of cancer?'. 

One day I burst into tears as I was driving to work, and thought 'This is ridiculous, you need to get some counselling!'. To which I answered 'I would, but I don't have time for counselling, now pull yourself together'.

This year has made me think about priorities. There are clearly some things that are more important than others, we just have to keep a clear head, focus, and make a list! But above all, and I believe strongly in this, make time for loved ones. Its no good seeing somebody once a year at Christmas and presenting them with an extravagant gift that they don't want. Rather, make time during the year for a visit or a phone call. Keep in touch. None of us know when it will be too late.

Wishing you all a very happy, healthy 2012, filled with the love of family and friends.

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