May the New Year bring you courage to break your resolutions early!
My own plan is to swear off every kind of virtue,
so that I triumph even when I fall.
Alaister Crowley
Exciting new decade and new worlds of possibility to you! Among my resolutions is to refer to my sons and daughter as “young adults” instead of “kids” or “children” which they no longer are or should act like. 2020 marks their Defining Decade and because our culture loves to associate turning 21 with drunken abandon–any monkey can do that!–while headline news and social media are rife with people steeped in money and power who have grown old without growing up, can someone please tell me what qualities truly define an adult?
I feel relief as I wave them back on the bus to their respective colleges. I feel the need for a conscious shifting of gears when they are home for extended holidays while hanging on to dear charm, keeping irritation on a low simmer over the household dynamic that tends to revert to how things were when they were adorable little cutiepies. The transition is difficult for both sides entailing diplomacy and patience on thin supply as we shift from automatic overplayed roles to a reversal that isn’t fun for those who have relished being given to and taken care of. Small wonder the pervasive marketing of the myth of martyrdom with motherhood!
On New Year’s eve, I told them 2020 is a wonderful decade to plant their feet firmly on the ground so “No babies please.” What I really mean to say is “No more acting like babies please” but even if they were to take me literally, any juggler knows better than to add another ball to one’s act before getting good at one ball first. Perfecting the growing act takes while, so I’ll hold on to my rose colored glasses with tiny resolutions meanwhile:
Stoke a passion Indulge a hobby or learn something new. Nothing is sexier than a woman with a glow in her eyes that comes from inner joy and purpose. There’s much that cosmetics and surgeries get credit for, but you can’t buy authentic beauty that shines from an inner light.
Make movement a part of your day Take the stairs (instead of elevators/escalators) to use the ladies room in the farthest floor of a building. Park farthest from the door of the office, gym, restaurant, grocery or mall. Let dance music move you while you’re doing chores or getting dressed. Stretch those quads while brushing teeth and use each door frame you walk through as a reminder to roll shoulders back, chest out, and chin up.
Check texts/email/social media only after meals The diet mindset is best applied to our relationship with tech devices. As for food, you’ll never have to worry about weight if you eat regularly, choose fresh over processed, pass on gluten/sugar/liquor and eat your vegetables like mom always said.
Act with kindness Do something random for someone you may not get credit for. Keep a running gratitude list of how you got lucky and feel blessed at least before bedtime to sleep happy.
Go someplace you’ve never been Learn and experience something new, welcome new influences through a new club/group, travel and even reading a book can take you somewhere magical.
Give 2 compliments each day One for someone you live or work with. Another for the person in the mirror.
Click on “Leave a Comment” (top left) to add what being an adult means to you. Happy and healthy 2020 and make this your best decade yet!
xoxox
xoxox
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