Author: Ally Bean
Ditching The Resolutions: In Praise Of Those Who Tried & Failed
Did you know that there’s an official holiday dedicated to those people who make New Year’s Resolutions then fail to stick with them?
[More about it here.]
I was unaware of this holiday but stumbled upon it while doing some research about Julian versus Gregorian calendars.
[More about that topic here.]
It would seem to me, a person who doesn’t make resolutions, that this holiday has a message for all of us– if only to remind us that sometimes good ideas don’t work out the way we think they will.
[More about not resolving here.]
That is to say, where is the harm in taking time to think about what you’d like to change in your life and then giving it a go– if only for a few weeks?
[Statistical analysis of resolutions here.]
Sometimes it’s enough to acknowledge that you need a new perspective on things without going all bonkers about changing everything about yourself on the first try.
[Discussion of issues revolving around successful keeping of resolutions here.]
Of course, for the people who make, then keep their New Year’s Resolutions, today is just another day.
[Inspirational poem here.]
But for the rest of us, even if we never resolve, today is, in my estimation, a guilt-free fun day to take stock of our personal foibles + unfulfilled goals– of which I have many. 😉
In Which I Explain That I’m Not A Cornflake
I like Janet. She knows things. She is encouraging. She is her own style muse. And her name? So easy to remember. { image source }
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Having reached Level 1000 in Candy Crush Soda Saga, I decided to give it up and download a new game onto my smart phone. To play the new game I had to create a user name, a nickname as the game called it.
Anyone who knows me knows that wordsmith-ery and problem-solving are my strengths in life. Thus, you’d think that I’d be a wiz at creating nicknames, wouldn’t you?
But in this case I became frustrated, almost flaked out, because I couldn’t find one that was not already in use. I mean I tried basic ones, then I tried what I thought were unique names for moi and to a one, these names were all were taken.
Teal Flower? GONE.
BeeBeeBee? GONE.
One Fine Gamegirl? GONE.
So eventually, being a woman with a large vocabulary who prides herself on perseverance & perspicacity, I decided to turn this problem on its head and do the opposite of what I thought made sense. Hence, instead of describing myself as I am, I chose to describe myself as I am not.
And guess what? Using this shrewd reverse-thinking approach I found a nickname that wasn’t taken.
Yes, my gentle readers, please share in my amazement that NOT A CORNFLAKE was an available nickname, that is now mine.
So on that rather absurd note, with joy in my heart about life’s funny moments, I’m back to blogging.
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How ‘ya been? What’s new with you? Got a nickname that you care to share?
Just say something in the comments below. Talk to me.
I missed all of you.
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As The Year Ends, Reflections As I Walk By A Creek
Went for a walk. Standing on a bridge over the creek I saw the waterfall down the way.
Noticed the beautiful bare tree branches reflected in the creek’s still water near the bridge on which I stood.
So calm. So pretty.
Continued walking. Found the waterfall where the water was flowing over it.
Enjoyed watching as the clear water moved forward, not so gracefully tumbling over the falls.
Loudly. With enthusiasm and purpose.
Found myself reflecting on perspective and change. On always moving forward, appreciating peacefulness, but never allowing oneself to become stagnant.
Decided that the message was for me to let last year’s concerns float away, never forgotten or marginalized, but utilized as starting points so that next year’s plans can coalesce.
And on that bit of self-awareness, I shall wander off into the real world where busy people and half-finished projects are waiting for me.
To do that which I do.
And as for The Spectacled Bean, well– don’t expect me back here until mid-January when winter is in full swing. I’ve decided to go on a brief blogging hiatus, if the fates allow.
Happy Christmas & Merry New Year, everyone.
See ‘ya in 2018.
THE SPECTACLED BEAN 