A New Year Approaches...Resolutions or Regrets Anyone?

On my to-do list 3 months ago I had a specific task written in sharpie red ink KEEP UP YOUR THROW OUT 50 THINGS MISSION!!!!.  Obviously I fell prey to being human and sadly if I had a tail it would be tucked between my legs as I sheepishly return.  On the bright side I have learned a bit about myself and my "50 things mission".  First, originally I was going through the motions.  Throwing things out, throwing things out and throwing things out.  Then it occurred to me that I wasn't getting much out of it.  Something was not right.  I had to really evaluate what I was getting rid of.  Throwing out things I did not need was great, but I needed to get rid of things attached to my emotional baggage if this was going to work for me.  I also realized I was always thinking about what else I could throw out to reach 50 things that would not really effect me or I could live without (hoarder thinking wave).  This revelation was a bit disheartening.  Had I accomplished nothing?  And now New Year resolutions are staring me in the face too? Do I flip what I see as my regrets from 2010 to what I hope to accomplish in 2011?

However, once I regained compsure I realized that I actually I had accomplished a great deal this year.  I was aware of what needed to be done which started a chain reaction that I did not even notice because I was focusing so hard on throwing things out.  I had begun to take a closer look at myself in the process.  I noticed that 15 pounds that crept up and how much I wasn't doing.  I threw out sugar and processed flour, caffeine, extra salt and oil.  I stopped wondering where to meet people, threw out my fear of rejection and started to ask people to network and joined 2 groups and committed to donate my time to 2 other volunteer organizations.  For good measure I also tossed away my pre-conceived notions on what I could handle, which opened up a world of possibilities.   I went from feeling overwhelmed and buried to feeling a sense of pride in my accomplishments for the past year.  One of the things I tell my audience if that "When you are feeling buried, it is only a delusion you are in the dark".  Look around and you will see the true light. 

BTW ~ I did get rid of alot of used to be had-to-have-to-live items in the process that I really did not need including those 15 pounds ;)   

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND A GREAT NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!  DMT