My 2008 & 2009 Lists

So in this eleventh hour, as we near the very end of this calendar year, I feel moved to put down in writing some ideas and intentions I've had floating around in my head for several days.Before I move on entirely to 2009, I want to be gracious and give a little props to 2008, it's been an extremely challenging year for me and many others whom I love but wanted to try to find some goodness in it...so here is what I am grateful for from 2008:

• For the chance to be there for my dad and Sarah during a very hard time when Laura was nearing the end of her life and tensions were high and a peacemaker was needed.
• For the gift of forgiveness, both to give it and receive it.
• For the loving support of friends and family through all that came up to greet me along the path this past year, and how I chose to greet IT!
• For second chances  to make different, better (?) choices.
• For Obama winning the presidency and igniting a patriot fire within me and many others I know.
• For Facebook, it's just so darned friendly and makes the journey just a bit more fun and connected.
• For my husband's patience and kindness and love.
• For my son's amazing spirit and sweetness and general quirkiness.
• For wonderful dietary options that exist in this time in this wonderfully weird town.
• Thankful for all the people (celebrities, non-celebrities) who work hard to make this world a better place for everyone.

And now (drum roll please....) 

My statements of intention for 2009

1. To continue to pay better attention to my body and treat it like the blessed gift that it is (talk about 2nd chances, & 3rd, & 4th....)
2. To spend more time doing things that aren't screen related (i.e. spend no more than 2 hours per day on computer/TV/Movie viewing) and read more (not just as I am falling asleep in bed).
3. Work on art projects weekly just for the fun of it.
4. Breathe through my nose more.
5. Keep purging until I feel like everything has it's place and purpose in this household and can maintain it all better.
6. Spend more time outside with my family, doing something active and enriching.
7. Rediscover the art of letter writing and partake in it weekly.
8. Do things greener in my household and in choices I make out in the world as well.
9. Blog  and/or journal more often.
10. Give to the world on a local and global level whenever I truly can afford to do so, be it in time,effort or finances.
11. Create and grow a new life during this year.
12. Spend more time walking and less time driving.

 So, there it is...I am putting it out there for you and the universe to see and for me to continue to keep within my sight. I plan on making myself a visual guide as well, a collage vision board tomorrow as a way to be creative and enjoy the images I come up with to focus my sights on for this next year. May this be a wonderful year for all of us and may it be filled with change, movement and fulfilment and lots & lots of moments of incredible joy.