Today is a New Day

I'll admit it, I'm not a huge fan of the hoopla around New Year's. I know that the new year brings a new beginning, new opportunities, a new start. I have some great New Year's memories (most notably our trip to Times Square in New York City to watch the ball drop from 1999 into 2000, when Craig and I were standing as close to the ball as the police barricades would allow). But the whole idea of resolutions... I'm just not a fan. They seem so big, so intimidating, so impossible. I make them every year and I find myself disappointed about my ability to see them through. Sometimes, it's due to sheer lack of willpower on my part. Sometimes, it's because I choose such BIG things to tackle. Sometimes, well, I don't know... I'm just not a fan.

This year, I'm not going to make any resolutions. There are some things I would like to do better in 2009, some things I want to focus on more intentionally, some things I want to change in my day-to-day life. But this year, they will be just that. Nothing earth shattering, nothing to write home about... just some things to focus on more in my day-to-day life. Key here, my friends, is the "day-to-day" part.

I will aim to do my best each day. And to know that no matter how long the to-do list might be, my best is good enough.

I will aim to make the world the best possible place it can be for my children, both now and for their future.

I will aim to make a difference each day, no matter how small it may seem, to make the above two items happen.

How will I do this? I will take one day at a time. I will focus on what I can control, what I can do, and not what I can't. And I will look to my really cool friends to help me out.

I've blogged here before about my friends over at Cool People Care. Their motto is "Saving the World, 5 Minutes at a Time." After all, who can't find 5 minutes to make a difference each day?

The Cool People have just released their second awesome book, called Today is a New Day!. This book is filled with small things that make a big impact, things you can do in only 5 minutes each day, things to help make the world a better place for yourself, your family, and all the world around you. Between the two of them, their two books (the first one was New Day Revolution)contain more than 365 ways you can make a difference in 2009 and beyond, in only 5 minutes a day. How simple is that? As Sam said, "It's time to save the world. Every little bit of inspiration can help."

If you do decide to order something from the Cool People Care Online Store, don't forget to enter the code LADYBUG when you check out. You'll get a 5% discount on your entire purchase, and another 5% of your purchase price will be donated to one of Dancing with Ladybug's favorite causes, The USO.

What are your dreams for 2009? Your goals? Your hopes? Your challenges? I'd love to know what you're planning in the new year. Leave me a comment, let me know how you plan to make the world a better place in 2009.

Sometimes, making a big difference doesn't have to be intimidating and in 2009 and always, I'm thankful to have such really cool friends to help show me how.

~*~*~ May you always remember to dance in the rain, and may you have plenty of ladybugs beside you! ~*~*~

Blessings,
Kat

Thankful for Thankfulness: November 6

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Whatever, whenever, what is your wish?

That's what I heard from the front desk attendant when I called last night for a wake-up call this morning. How often do you get to hear that in life?? I like it! With a question like that I felt I should think of something much more creative than, "may I please schedule a wake-up call for 6:00am?" But alas, I couldn't think of anything better on such short notice.

I'm staying at the W Hotel in mid-town Atlanta. Too pricey for me to ever stay at when my company is not picking up the tab, but if you ever have the chance, visit one. It's a very modern, very trendy hotel, truly a unique experience. The lobby is dimly lit like a night club. There are velvet couches with big pillows, a spa, two bars, more lounge areas... all the stuff that would have been SOOO cool when I was in my early 20's. Alas, here I am at 30-something, in my room, in front of my laptop, trying to catch up on emails instead of enjoying the hotel. But hey, it's still SOOO cool to have a young man ask, "Whatever, whenever, what is your wish?"

But guess what... it's not the hotel or the young man that I'm thankful for today, though both are very nice! Today, I'm thankful for wishing. And dreaming. And imagination. I'm thankful to live in a world where I can not only wish and dream and imagine, but where I have the power to make those wishes, dreams and imaginations come true.... not only for me, but hopefully, for those that I love and those I haven't met yet. 'Cause I think wishing and dreaming and imagining, and making wishes, dreams and imaginations come true is really SOOO cool. And for that, I am thankful.

~*~*~ May you always remember to dance in the rain, and may you have plenty of ladybugs beside you! ~*~*~

Blessings,
Kat

Meet my Bad Habit

No, it's not what you think... (even though yes, I have plenty of bad habits)... my worst bad habit, I think, is leading with my heart instead of my head. Though in many cases this is not an awful thing... sometimes, well, it blurs my perspective of reality.

When I started this blog, not even 3 months ago, I had such grandiose dreams, such amazing intentions, such confidence that yes, I could come up with a daily theme and well, post daily. Alas... I led with my heart instead of my head.

Though I still have grandiose dreams and amazing intentions, the reality is that I also have 2 small children, a husband, a dog, a home, a full-time outside-the-home job and a whole buncha other "schtuff" that also demands my time. Though I had sincerely hoped to be able to maintain this blog on a daily basis, I have found, unfortunately, that I can't always make the time to research and write and post things here that are the caliber I want them to be.

So... what does that mean...

The blog is not going away. I love it too much and I believe in it too much and even though I barely get any comments here, I am a firm believer that if even one person reads one line that makes a difference to them, then it's a blog worth maintaining. And maintain I will. Just not always on a daily basis.

For my faithful readers (and yes, I know there are a few of you), I offer a giant THANK YOU for sticking with me this far. If you're visiting, please keep checking back. There will be more! If you don't want to have to remember to check back, you can enter your email address in the "Subscribe to Dancing with Ladybugs" box on the left and you'll get an email each time there is a new post here. (Disclaimer: I promise never to spam you, forward you anything and quite honestly, I can't remember my password to log on to Feedblitz to see who has subscribed anyway... so it's strictly an email to tell you when I post, with the text delivered right to you, nothing to buy, nothing to click, nothing to remember. Promise!)

So.... that said... some weeks I might post 5 times, some weeks I might post once. But know that every post I write from here on out will be meaningful, will be important, and will provide a reason to dance in the rain.

~*~*~ May you always remember to dance in the rain, and may you have plenty of ladybugs beside you! ~*~*~

Blessings,
Kat