In 2009, I launched an inspirational series of interviews with ordinary folks who do extraordinary things. They breathe life into their dreams, resolutions and daily goals, one small step at a time, one day at a time over the long haul. Though they may be statistically in the minority of resolution-makers (the ones who succeed), I wanted to highlight 'what works', and give them credit for their accomplishments. 'Betsy DiJulio was the eighth Resolutionista' [creator of TheBloomingPlatter and TheBloomingPalette] inducted into the I Resolve To . . . Hall Of Fame and the inspirational series continues in 2010!
BETSY DIJULIO REFLECTS
I don't necessarily believe that things happen for a reason or to teach us a lesson. In fact, I don't know what I believe in that regard. But I do believe that it is our responsibility to find the lessons and make the meaning count in all that occurs.
In early December, my husband and I attended a dinner party after which I woke up filled with the realization that, embodied in that magical gathering of ten friends, was virtually everything that I value; and I resolved to infuse them into every day of the New Year, no matter how full I allow my life to become.
The weekend of the party, we happened to have house guests: longtime friends who have moved to the East Coast from Nashville, where we use to live. So, the convivial gathering included people who have entered our lives anywhere between 25 years ago and that very night; some were business relationships that grew into deep friendships. I was reminded how fortunate we are that, as we approach middle age, we know the joy of decades-old friendships, while the possibility for new ones is still very much alive.
We all gathered in one of the host's tiny 1920's cabin nestled along a lovely lake shore. Charming and cozy on the most ordinary of days, it is enchanting during the holidays. On this evening, it sparkled and gleamed with firelight, candlelight and lamplight glittering and reflecting off of beautiful objects and surfaces, carefully chosen, but without the slightest hint of fussiness. Seductive aromas wafted from the tiny but hip kitchen, a recent remodel, warm and inviting. The hosts, a fairly new couple, had planned, cooked and orchestrated the most beautiful Thai meal of several courses, one of which was accompanied by Saki sipped out of cedar boxes brought by one of the guests. Each beautiful dish was thoughtfully chosen to accommodate the preferences of vegetarians, vegans and omnivores and was presented with impeccable but, apparently, unstudied timing. The meal concluded with an extra-special vegan cake I had concocted, as it was one of the guest's - a dear friend's - birthday. Conversation and laughter flowed easily from the personal to the political to the philosophical.
When such a party winds to a close, there is a tendency not to want to break the spell and go home. But waiting at our house was the most astonishing new dog we had adopted that very day from the SPCA. Joe and I had lost our beloved 16-year-old dog, Webster, a couple weeks prior and I had been very blue until the appearance of Minnie. While her arrival into our household brought with it a little stress, no a lot of stress - we have two other dogs, one weighing in at 160 pounds, who were not happy with the new addition - by the next day, they were, remarkably, a pack. So I was reminded of several things: that from loss arises new and unimaginable possibility; that great rewards come disguised as intense challenges; and that as wonderful as it is to be absorbed by the love, light and laughter of other people's homes, the home that I share with Joe and our canines is the best of all places to return.
I Resolve To . . . Spend 2010:
- Nurturing friendships, old and new.
- Forging a happy union between the often strange bedfellows of work and pleasure.
- Engaging in meaningful conversation, but laughing a lot.
- Creating beauty and goodness around myself and others.
- Preparing and sharing nutritious food that honors my guests and respects the earth and its creatures.
- Reveling in the most minute of details because, of course, they matter most.
- Embracing loss.
- Finding the reward in every challenge.
- Delighting in the love of my two-legged and four-legged family members in the home that we have created beneath an umbrella that figuratively reaches out to embrace our extended families.
- Happy New Year! -
Remember: I Resolve To . . . Achieve My New Year Resolutions, One Resolution, One Day At A Time For One Year. It's your choice. Do it today. Turn your resolution into reality in five simple, common sense steps: Dare To Dream, Decide, Define, Develop A Plan, and Do It Daily. Make your resolution a permanent Lifetime Resolution, something that's with you for good! Above all, Be A Resolutionista, someone who makes resolutions, keeps resolutions, and enjoys the journey! Let's Go For It!
Need More Inspiration? Wear Your Resolution By Visiting The I Resolve To . . . Shop At CafePress: I Resolve To . . . Resolutionista Gear And By Joining The Official I Resolve To . . . Group At Gather.Com. Get going on your 2010 New Year Resolutions with the new I Resolve To . . . Worksheet & Promise: I Resolve To . . . Worksheet & Promise.
Kim M. Simpson - December 27, 2009
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