i love wintertime. this past few weeks, the portland metro area has been hit with uncharacteristic winter weather. a whole week went by where i wasn’t able to get out of my driveway because of four foot drifts. while there were a few rushes of cabin fever, i really didn’t mind it and in fact i secretly have enjoyed it. you may be thinking…oh good grief rebecca. but here’s why. winter is the time to go inside. we all run from warm place to warm place. once inside our home, we might make up something hot to drink, grab a blanket and a good book and nestle in for a while.

the other way we go in is through reflection. january first is the day that almost everyone, whether you are naturally a reflective personality or not, takes a moment to look back at the year past and dream of the year to come. some make lofty goals and others keep to the smaller tasks but all of us make these “resolutions” in an effort to lure that sense of accomplishment. in other words we pledge, we promise, we declare and we make motion towards being different…better.

i am a real goal setter. i have been all of my life. i decide something i want to do and then i do it. the older i get though, i realize that i may be good enough just the way i am. now, i can tell you that won’t keep me from making motion towards something because that’s just how i’m made, but what i am learning is to let january first be a day of celebration. to be thankful for the bounty of the year past even if it was a seemingly abysmal year…there is always something.

this year…these are my celebrations: i’m thankful for laughter and love, for my favorite black sweater that is perfect when monday morning hits and i haven’t done laundry, i’m thankful for fresh air and for all those beautiful blue skies we had in november. i’m thankful for good earth tea, for green paint on the walls that makes everything feel fresh and for the folks that painted these walls. i’m hopeful, i’m joyous, i’m still laughing and singing and i’m learning how to live deeper and richer each day. so tell me…what is it that you celebrate?