Happy New Year 2016

I sat here more than once last week starting to type something for the winding down of 2015, and it kept turning into something I wasn't sure I wanted to publish. So I kept deleting and walking away. Now here we are, January 1st, 2016. I want to wish you a Happy New Year!

2015 was an interesting year. Some of my take aways:

1. It is ok to put your family first - In fact, your family should come before anyone else around you.
2. Sometimes, a situation gets bigger than you can handle, it's ok to walk away.
3. We need to listen to our body - If you need more time to exercise or rest, take it. It's not selfish, in fact it benefits all those around you if you have a healthy mind, body, and spirit. 
4. Surround yourself with people who are positive, uplifting,  and like minded people. 
5. It is ok to clear your schedule. Will others be disappointed? It's possible, but refer back to #1.

In 2016, my goals are to make sure we have family time. That does not include other family and friends, we need time as a family to grow, make memories, and relax. Of course we will still do plenty with other family and friends, but it's important to cherish the time we have together, because at some point, we won't have so much time with our kids and I don't want to regret not spending more time with them later.

I want us to also focus on those around us and showing love to others. How can we do this? Well, you can start with random acts of kindness. We have all seen the $5 bills in the Redbox movie case, so they can buy snacks, or heard about the buying coffee for the person behind you right? Well, why not be that person who does this? Make certain days for you if that helps. I have Thirsty Thursday where I buy an extra coffee drink for a random co-worker. This year however, I want to do the Redbox movie idea whenever we rent a Redbox, coffee, maybe even someone's grocery trip.

I also want to do at least one event a month with my girls where we are doing something to help others. In Phoenix there is this site, Families Giving Back and there are volunteer events, or things you can do from home. For us, it is harder getting to the events since both my husband and myself work full-time, and then we try to keep the girls busy with sports, dance, etc. So the things we can do at home are awesome since we can do it on our time, and even do it with our family and friends.

I have an amazing friend who helps run a group that connects families in need, with families that can help. Since part of my goal this year is to help those around us, I have started a group for the area closer to where I live. WestValley Phoenix Neighbors in Need.  This is just getting started, so it's not that big, but I hope that it will grow and truly help those around us this year. That being said I know some amazing people that run their own non-profit thrift store to help others I will be listing their store, and other resources as well for quick reference for those who need it, and sharing events meant to help the community.

This blog started out for many different reasons, some of which has changed, since after all we have crazy lives. However, I am hoping that I can share our experiences in upcoming events, random acts of kindness, and other ways to get involved to inspire more people to actually do something and not just wish they could do more. You can do more. Even if it's one thing for one person, you have made a difference to that one person.

A story I heard on the radio actually stuck with me.
  
     A boy was walking along the beach, picking up starfish and throwing them back in the ocean so they wouldn't dry out and die. An older man walked up to him and asked what he was doing so the boy explained he didn't want the starfish to die, so he was tossing them back in the ocean. The older man told him "there are thousands, you can't save them all so why bother?". The little boy thought about this for a few minutes, then bent over picked up a starfish and tossed it back in the ocean. He then looked at the older man and said "I made a difference to that one!"

Don't get stuck on saving the WHOLE WORLD. Or making a difference to the whole world. One person alone can't do it, but if we focus on making a difference to THAT ONE. How we can impact one person, how that person can impact someone else etc. Start a ripple effect. You don't have to see the results at the end, just know you made a difference to that one, and you will make a difference to another one. Instead of being overwhelmed not knowing how, by the end of the year, how many ONEs could you make a difference for?

On that note, I am hoping that this year is the best year for all of you. Let's make a difference, and make each day you live a great one! Yesterday is gone, don't stay stuck there. Tomorrow is not here yet, so don't worry about what hasn't happened, but today is the present, it's a gift, and you get to choose what you do with it. Make it great and make it count!

Happy 2016!