Well, women folk, are we ready?   A New Year tomorrow, and a new decade.  I find it both a frightening and wonderful prospect.  Frightening because once again we’ve been reminded by a religious fanatic that evil often wraps itself in the guise of doing God’s work.  As in “God doesn’t like the way you worship Him, so I am justified in killing large numbers of you and your kind”.  What’s with that, anyway?

On the up side, each new year is a new opportunity for change.  Both within and outside of ourselves.  So what will it be?  I thoroughly dislike the term “New Year’s Resolutions”, it seems an invitation for failure.  Perhaps simply some small changes?  Add one piece of fruit to your daily food consumption, drink an extra glass of water instead of yet another coffee.  Forget the bikini by June thing.  It never works, and only leads to more negative words in that monologue we all have going on in our heads.  Perhaps we should all turn off the TV or computer news when we find ourselves beginning to yell at inanimate objects.  How about giving one’s self the gift of time?  Take 20 minutes or a half hour daily, and do what YOU want — especially if what you want to do is nothing!  Feet up, eyes closed, or book in hand.  No partner, no cell phone, no kids, no electronic devices.  Try a warm bath or a little yoga, prayer, or stretching.  Try to banish the negativity for a little while, you can (and will) bitch at a later time. 

Then, there are the upcoming joys to contemplate.  The giant ones like the birth of a child or grandchild, or the smaller ones like an evening out with your significant other or the women folk.  Take a break from the economic bad news and the bleak job market.  There are special birthdays and anniversaries to celebrate, and people out there who could use our help or simply a kind word.  Brightening someone else’s day puts a light in one’s own heart as well.  Share a joke or a funny story or make a really weird face at someone who cares about you. (avoid doing this with strangers, it can lead to complications).  If there are any small people in your life, forget adult “dignity” and roll around the floor a bit with them.  Negativity will come back in like the tide at some point.  Face it as you would face the ocean, but take steps backward so that you only deal with a little water at a time.  Remember knee deep leads to waist deep, etc. so just keep stepping back.  It is do-able.

Well, it’s heading toward midnight.  Are we ready ladies?  Deep breaths, a tear or two is fine;  ready? set? GO!