Can you believe it?

Here we are in the middle of January.

The holidays seem a distant memory as 2015 begins to fly by . . .

Do you have resolutions? I’ll admit I have a couple.

My first is to add more organized planning to my weekly schedule.

I’ve never been one to have certain days for certain tasks, but I’d like to find out if that system is more efficient. As a lifelong multi-tasker, I’ve been more likely to keep an overall picture of what needs be accomplished in a given week, and then juggle the chores as I go along. This system works well enough during an uneventful week but things can become extra nerve-wracking when surprises pop up and time is extra short.

For 2015, I’ve resolved to better structure my days in hopes I will get more done.

And that leads me to my second resolution, which is inspired by a favorite poem!

As a teenager in the 1960’s, I became totally enchanted with a poem by Max Erhmann called, Desiderata (Latin for “desired things”). I even had it on a poster in my college dorm room. Talk about rules to live by! If you’d like to read it again (or for the first time), you’ll find it below.

Because I can be a perfectionist, this line from Desiderata has always struck a chord with me:

“Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.”

Those words are a reminder to cut yourself a little slack, take a long deep breath, and be realistic about how much you can complete when things get hectic.

After all, calm and common sense are keys to contentment.

Sounds like a plan, doesn’t it?

1.) Refine my schedule to lessen stress . . . BUT
2.) Don’t get so wrapped up in the effort that stress is actually added!

We’ll see. 😉

How about you? Any resolutions?

Hugs (and Happy 2015!),

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Click the envelope to leave a comment or to read what the other kids are saying! 😀

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.       (Max Ehrmann, 1872–1945)