Happy 2024 & Here we go again!!! 🥳

On January 4, 2024January 3, 2024 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Celebrations, Poetry108 Comments

Hello dear Friends!

Even though my blog break during the holidays was wonderful, while also toasting to my late Father-in-Law who passed in October, I have missed you all! I hope your holidays were filled with love, laughter, family and friends, along with good food and drink! When I was thinking about what I’d post for my return to the land of blogging, some prior content came to mind, so here we go again (a little revised)…

It seems time becomes more clever as we bid adieu to each year. Do the minutes and months feel more fleeting as we clink our bubbly-filled glasses on the last day of the year? Now that we’ve dipped our toes into 2024, is your list of resolutions hanging on your fridge by a favorite magnet? 😃

As I reminisce about last year’s glories and sorrows, I’ve concluded that resolutions may just be a thing of the past. This doesn’t mean that setting goals isn’t effective. It’s good to have projects to work on, to keep our brains stimulated, and it’s healthy to keep our bodies moving if goals include incorporating more physical activity or getting in better shape. So, as we ponder our new set of goals, let’s remember to reach for them at our own pace – don’t worry about what others are doing. Okay, let’s expand on this…

Here are a few words from the author, Kirsten Sevig:

“I decided to measure success in happiness, progress, wisdom, accumulating rejection and failure, resilience and determination, pride in my work, confidence, and comparing only to myself instead of to others.”

Since a new year is upon us, it’s logical to wonder if we’re on the right path to success. But define success. Do you measure success in dollar signs only? Have you compared your accomplishments to those of your friends or acquaintances then easily beat yourself up for not achieving as much? I’m not afraid to admit that I’m guilty of doing this because comparing is a common human behavior. But it’s not a healthy habit to continue. Comparing your success to others can cause a lack of self-esteem, and in severe cases, depression that can trigger a breakdown. I don’t compare anymore, and maybe with age comes wisdom, or perhaps, the notion of “I don’t give a sh*t!” Sometimes, we care too much about trivial things, so it’s up to us to shift our mindset – no one can do it for us – mind over matter, remember? Put your cares and energy into the right stuff!

I hope this wisdom enlightens your visions for this new year full of opportunities! And even though you and I may have read similar encouragement before, this affords us another chance to create a new year in our lives that will bring contentment and true happiness.

Below is a fun poem I wrote a few years back that I hope you enjoy again, or even for the first time, as we welcome a new class of 365 days:

There were…
High points to celebrate
Low points to tolerate
Tears that flowed
but eventually slowed
Lessons to realize
Adventures to feel alive
Demons to fight
Wrongs to right
Goals completed
Some deleted
Yet, looking back
we witness impact
More time to forgive
Another year to live
Accelerate in high gear
No invite for fear
Pour the bubbles
Forget your troubles
Clink and Chime
Celebrate Big Time!

It’s good to be back, and I look forward to reading your posts again!
Happy New Year, and may 2024 be a good one for us all! 🥳🥂❤️

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Early New Year Wishes :)

On December 28, 2014 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry52 Comments

There were…
high points to this year
low points to bear
tears to dry
from reasons to cry
lessons to learn by
adventures to try
demons to fight
wrongs to right
resolutions completed
some deleted
but looking back
we see the impact
another year of living
the gift of existing
So accelerate in high gear
no invite for fear
Pour the bubbles
forget your troubles
Clink and Chime
Celebrate Big Time!

One year later, I share this poem again
with sincere wishes of a wonderful, joyful,
productive 2015 for you all
and a safe celebration for ringing in the New Year!

With love, Lauren

How are You?

On January 10, 2014January 10, 2014 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Discussion, Poetry36 Comments

Dear Family and Friends,

It’s been a week since my last post featuring my Dad and that was a fun write-up. Other than that, inspiration since my holiday poems has been scarce. In addition, I’ve been sick since January 1st, which hasn’t helped. Luckily, the first three days when I was in bed happened to be the end of my holiday vacation, so I didn’t miss any work and I managed to enjoy the last part of my family’s visit.

I’ve been able to work since last weekend, but am still not 100%. I’m plugging along. From the flu, to a cold, then one and now both eyes infected, I haven’t been online all that much. A little of reading blogs and a little on facebook, but I still have low energy. I’m not asking for sympathy, either, just my way of saying “hello” and letting you know what’s going on in my world and wanting to know how you all are doing! 🙂

So, Happy New Year, once again, and now that the new year has commenced, what are your thoughts on resolutions?

Have you set new goals for 2014?

Do you view resolutions as new challenges or added disappointments?

Well, my first goal is to get well! 🙂 But I think I have to let it run it’s course and keep my spirits up.

My second goal is to continue on the marketing of my 2013 book, “New Day, New Dreams” with my first poetry reading being a great opportunity on March 31st.
One of our local libraries has been very nice to work with me and I am excited, along with being very nervous. However, I have wonderful tips and advice from my good friend, Julie at http://juliecatherinevigna.wordpress.com. So I believe if I follow her words of wisdom, there is a smaller chance I’ll fall flat on my face. 🙂

My third goal is to get in better shape by shedding ten pounds I found last year. Once I’m feeling up to it again, Copper and I will continue to do our power walks so we’ll both be happy. (Thanks to my family for keeping him happy while I’ve been ill.)

I’ve also heard many great things about Yoga, so maybe I’ll incorporate that into my routine, too. Any Yoga thoughts out there?

I’m turning 53 this year and as I get older, I want to challenge myself. I’m not a fitness guru, like my good friend, Renee, http://positiveboomer.net, as she continues to amaze me with her energy and devotion to treating her body right with exercise each day. Not to mention how fabulous she looks! However, I do want to stay active for my health and personal well being.

And later in the year, I’ll be working on my second collection of poetry. Other than these, I hope to continue writing poetry that you enjoy and also to try some new forms (out of my comfort zone).

A big event I’d like to share is the 25th wedding anniversary for my hubby and I, coming up on January 21st. We can’t believe 25 years have gone by; 26 of being together. Although, since I’ve been sick, our vacation plans might have to be postponed and that’s okay. Every day is a celebration, as long as we’re together. ♥

In closing, I’ll leave you with some words to ponder…
finding humor in tough situations tends to relax our brains and bodies.

Getting a cold in the nose
is okay, I suppose
but a cold in the eye
is not okay (sigh)
Dealing with the flu
isn’t fun to do
being chilled in the house
isn’t good for the spouse
But these germs will go
this I know
so let’s focus on Friday
make it great in every way
May your weekend be blessed
with very little stress