Being Accountable.

Last year I made my first real list of New Years resolutions.  Today is that fun day where we pull out that old list and see how I actually did....

Eat more vegetables.   Thanks to the BlendTec, check.
Be thankful.  I try.   Check.
Forgive and let go.   Worrrrking on it......... not check.
Do things I like to do.   85% check.
Learn to say no.    CHECK :)
Build a repertoire of lipsticks.  Giant check. (i really took this one seriously...)
Be sincere. Less cynical.     Sincerity: check.  Lower the cynicism: check minus
Help other people more than myself.      Thanks to a new calling: check
Learn when to speak and when to not.      60% check.
Lighten up.     Depends on the moment?

As for 2013..... I went out for Chinese with a friend last night and this was my fortune for 2013: 

REACTION.
 Ok well I hate you, 2013.  I mean, way to throw the emptiness of one's situation in one's face.......    And then......   some facebook enlightenment.  One of my fb chums with some  knowledge on Asian culture said this: 

  

Most likely buddhist, the second of the four truths taught by Buddha, states that the absence or emptiness of worldly desires brings happiness.

Ok fine, maybe it's not such a dreadful fortune.  Maybe it's reflective of perspective. 

And so it is perspective that I'm choosing to focus on for 2013.  I find that when the times I become most frustrated about my life are the times when I think things like, "this is not how it's supposed to be..."  "this is not what I thought my life was going to look like..."  "I was supposed to be happily married with a kid by now...."        et cetera.  

WISDOM ON PERSPECTIVE.  
"When you experience uncertainty, you are on the right path-- so don't give it up.  You don't need to have a complete and rigid idea of what you'll be doing next week or next year, because if you have a very clear idea of what's going to happen and you get rigidly attached to it, then you shut out the whole range of possibilities." -Deepak Chopra

And while that quote makes me wrinkle my nose and pull a face like a 5 year old facing cough medicine, I know there is wisdom in it that I need to apply to my life. I know I've quoted this before, but Elder Holland said, "When you are confronted with challenges that are difficult to conquer or you have questions arise, the answers to which you do not know, hold fast to the things you do know.  hang on to your firmest foundation, however limited that may be, and from that position of strength face the unknown."

THE PLAN.
These thoughts are complimentary.  Rely on your foundation.  Use that foundation to keep you afloat and reaching.  But keep your eyes open.  Find happiness in what life can be, not only what it's supposed to be.

Here's to perspective.  Friends, happy 2013.