HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It's difficult to believe that 2011 is now history and 2012 has begun. Where does the time go?

As much as I dislike the speed with which time seems to be moving, I do like the feeling that a new year brings. Each year I use this time to re-group and prioritize my life a bit.... and while I don't make resolutions, I do make Annual Goals each year. The two really are different, in my thinking. Resolutions are an all or nothing sort of thing. Like, I'm going to lose weight (which is the #1 resolution, according to surveys). Either you do or you don't. There's no middle ground. Goals are things to work toward and you can celebrate the success along the way.

Goals give focus to my life, so every year I set some goals.

Now, you may be wondering why I'm telling you all of this. After all, isn't this a crafting blog??? Well, yes, it is... usually! But for today, I'm using it as an accountability partner. I hope you don't mind. I promise you that tomorrow I will get back to blogging my cards/creations. How's that?

But for today, let me share with you my 366 Project.

The year 2012 has 366 days in it, thanks to leap year. That made me think... I have an extra day, what should I do with it? Then I thought, but EVERY day is a precious gift, why should this one EXTRA day get special attention? Soooooooooooo I decided to make one of my 2012 Annual Goals into a project. Thus the 366 Project was born.

In 2012 I'm going to make EVERY day count by each day striving to do a Random Act of Kindness (RAK). Some of these will be quite simple (hold the door for an elderly person, offer to let another person go before me in the checkout line, etc.) and some will be more elaborate (take a meal to a family who is struggling, watch a single mom's children so she can have a day to invest in herself, etc.).... and yes, I'll include this hobby that I love in my 366 Project, too, because I'm certain that some days the RAK will find me mailing a handmade card (to someone who needs some encouragement, to a chemo patient, etc).

My plan is to use this blog post throughout the year to post a list of my RAKs. I am placing a link/icon in my left side bar to make it easy to find (it's the same sunrise picture found in this blog post). Truthfully, I am doing this for me... so that I will stay focused on this important Annual Goal, but you're welcome to check it out any time you'd like to as well.

JANUARY

1 - I sent an encouraging email to a special friend who is dealing with some tough things right now.
2 - The person behind me in line at the store had fewer items than I did, so I invited him to go ahead of me, which he graciously accepted
3 - Mailed my first Chemo Angel card of the year.
4 - Took time to chat with a disabled employee at a store I frequent. Her smile showed how much she appreciated it.
5 - Mailed a requested card to a special someone in my life.
6 - Mailed another Chemo Angel card today.
7 - Though my husband said I could choose where we ate dinner, I let our son choose, knowing he would have a different preference than I would.
8 - Helped our church secretary with a computer template.
9 - Donated items for prizes at the local nursing home's Bingo games.
10 - Helped provide a cooked meal for someone recently released from the hospital.


Please join me in making the most of each day of 2012!