Out with the old and in with the New! ... Bring it on

I'm glad that there's a brand new beginning every day, but more so now that 2007 is behind us. 2007 was a year full of drama with illness and death as well as exultant jubilation in seeing God's faithfulness and knowing Him in a deeper level. It really made Him ever more solid in my heart. Even though this year, too, has started with the distinct possibility of my dear beloved kitty passing (I'm afraid to speak it too loudly, but she seems to be doing/feeling better than her January 1st pronouncement where we discussed euthanization. Praise the Lord!), and even though I still cannot make myself watch any deep drama on DVD (no need to borrow other people's drama when one has enough supply on hand!), I'm filled with hope that this is NEW chapter and it is fresh. Every new day with my kitty is a gift from Him. My Japanese name isn't hope or I'm not who I am! (tee hee)

So, here's a few things I'd like to do this year.

1. learn to paint better with water colour


2. prioritize, prioritize, prioritize!


3. get into a weekly exercise routine with or without a buddy - once a week!

The first one is something I've been thinking more of. I still have my brushes and paints (yes, some are drying up. yikes.) and I've always despised the fact that I let my art instructor get to me by the never-ending line of bearded irises she made us paint (Nothing against irises, really.) and the fact that she kept some techniques out of our knowledge (maybe just me, though) because of her convictions that somehow liquid frisket is heretic. I used to let these regrets (?!) go on and on, but I've decided that it just won't do. Life's too short to waste it like that. (Maybe I'm regaining my punk and getting frisky? maybe.) Fortunately, I've got a "go" from hubby (darling!) to get on with it, so I've started my very first project on framing my niece Hannah's name. I'll post it up when I'm done ;o)


The second one is in a way a submission to the fact that I cannot do it all. Last year has taught me how "people" in my life are the treasure that is worth my time spending with, and also, surprisingly, that my body is more delicate than I ever allowed myself to think. The body is what betrays us, isn't it. (Can't wait for my brand new incorruptible one!!!) So, how I spend my time is one of it. The other side of it is my focus. It took disasters to take me flying to my Master's bosom. (Can you tell, I've been reading period books?) Alas, I'm an ordinary human being prone to wander away, tarry, procrastinate, preoccupied, and side-tracked by the slightest of "urgency" over the "important." So in this discipline, my aim is to train me to focus on Him first thing every morning before I eat my breakfast. Keep Him at the centre of my day and schooling my children. Once this is the case, I know (I've seen it time and time again) that things flow ever more so smoothly. Why is it that I don't keep doing it? - is the wonder of wonders. I praise and thank God that He knows me so much more better and supplies me with unending supply of grace.

Third one is in hopes for having more perspective and health. The SADS is relatively mild this year, but I know the lack of exercise is partly to blame for my moodiness and the battle I wage towards my inner-talk with the dramatic "me." Besides, to my surprise, I know that I like how I feel afterwards. It is another great mystery, why is that I don't do it more often? hmmm. Do you see a pattern here?