I’m glad 2011 is over. It was not a good year for me. Actually I think it was one of the worst years I’ve had in a long time.
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New Year’s Day is a little bit like looking at a beautifully wrapped gift you haven’t opened yet. You have hope and anticipation. Hope that just what you want will be in that package.
So once again I start a New Year filled with anticipation at getting a fresh start and the hope that it’ll be a “good” year.
No New Year’s Resolutions for me – I haven’t made one in years. Instead I try to choose a word that will inspire and guide me through the year. This year my word is
I’m going to focus on flourishing this year.
source:flickr/groups
It was kind of crummy around my place too.
And like you, I am looking at the unwrapped gift that is 2012 with hope.
I do a color for the year, and I generally attach a word to the color. I’m pretty sure I know my color for the year, but just in case I change my mind, I’ll call it To Be Announced.
I had a year like that not too long ago, too, Manuela. I couldn’t wait for that year to be over. I hope things will turn around and you have a fantastic 2012. I don’t do resolutions anymore either ~ I always think we are just setting ourselves up for failure!
I am sorry that you had such a hard year, Manuel.
I missed you blogging, and having your Facebook page….I trust that 2012 will be a better year for you!
Deanna
Deanna,
I deleted my FB page because I was just spending way too much time on the computer between everything. Something had to give and unfortunately it was Facebook. I did enjoy the instant interaction with everyone!
Manuela
I do know how you feel – 2011 was not a good year for me either. I also don’t make resolutions.
Wishing you a Wonderful New Year!!
I hope 2012 will be indeed full of blessings and flourishing for you!
I haven’t given my year a name yet, last year was “rest” and while we faced some challenges, it was also a year of internal growth that I am thankful for.
Happy New Year, Manuela!
Some years are just like that. But, you know, these kinds of years teach us so much about ourselves and others. We learn how strong we are, how resiliant we are, how brave we are. After all, it takes all of these to slog through that kind of challenge.
You are one of the most creative people and I love reading your blog! You always inspire me and leave me with a smile!
Happy New Year and May You Flourish!
Hugs,
Matty
2010 was that year for me. I couldn’t WAIT for that year to be over with. Praying 2012 is better for you, Manuela!
I’m sorry you had a bad year. The past two for me haven’t been horrible, but not my best years ever. Lots of rough spots and learning! I hope 2012 will be flourishing for you. I’m so glad to see you blogging again!
I have a combination of goals and a focus word. My focus word is ‘intention.’ I want to live on purpose and with a purpose this year. My goals help me do that. One of my goals is to bring my blood sugar levels down (I’m diabetic). My son is getting married this year and I want to be healthy and energetic for his wedding. I have other goals, both physical and spiritual, but the blood sugar goal is one of the top goals for the year.
Wishing you a wonderful New Year! Glad to see you back Manuela!
Mary Ellen
The Working Home Keeper
I feel the same about a new year! I love the clean, blank slate it provides. 🙂
Sorry 2011 was a hard year for you. You are still one of my all time favorite bloggers and I am constantly amazed by your energy, organizational skills and all that you accomplish!
Many good wishes for the New Year!
Victoria
I hope that 2012 is a wonderful year for you, and that you flourish! All the best for a Happy Healthy New Year!
What a great focus word…funny that everywhere I turn the term “flourish” seems to pop up…perfect for you, Manuela. God bless you and your family as you flourish for Him in 2012.
Manuela, I have had had one of those years, too, but I have to say, I am always grateful for whatever comes my way. Sort of that God sees you to it, God will see you through it… deal. I am working on making this year better. I have set goals, no resolutions, but actual step by step goals so I can see where my progress is going and where I exactly break down (if I do). I want to know what exactly stopped me. How else can I improve?
I am so sorry to hear that last year was such a bad year for you. I do hope 2012 proved to be much better.
I don’t make resolutions, I set goals that are achievable, they are usually things that I intend to continue with throughout the rest of my life. If I focus on them once a year, I will always do them.
I have thought about getting a word for myself this year, and I think it will be JOY!
Hugs, Cindy
Sorry that you had a bad year, Manuela. I love your word for the new year – it’s a beautiful word, filled with hope and promise. 2009 was my worst year because of problems with my son, then resulting in his death in September of that year. 2010 was then pretty tough too ~ and 2011 was a little better, only because of the healing hands of time. However, without being too whiny or long, I’m currently stuck in a job that I can’t stand and it seems to be getting worse. So my GOAL for 2012 (I don’t necessarily do resolutions) is to find a new job or even better – to find a way to make money from home. Thank you for your blog – it’s always been one of my favorites.
wishing you a New Year filled with joy and happiness, good health and sparkling showers of goodness from above. Happy 2012
I love the theme of “Flourish” that you picked for 2012. I had also picked a word which is “Thrive”. The last few years have been difficult seasons. I have been encouraged by a passage of scripture that I believe the Lord led me specifically to while I was in that difficult season “He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me. Psalm 18:19 I researched the word broad in this context and it means a spacious place where you can thrive and flourish. I can’t wait to see how we flourish and thrive in 2012! So glad to see you back on your blog. You always encourage and inspire me. Blessings!
2011 was a bumpy road for so many, me included. Here’s looking forward to a bright, shiny New Year & hoping it holds many blessings for you.
I’m going with “Letting Go” this year… there will be a lot of opportunities, that’s for sure!
I am hopeful that this year will be better for me too. I found the past year difficult, not horrible, but difficult. Here’s to a new year for both of us!
Sending good thoughts and envisioning a glorious year of prosperity, love and wisdom to you and yours my kind friend. To paraphrase and old saying…
“May we all flourish where we’re planted!”
Love, love, love,
Tracey
xxx
oops…I mean “an OLD saying”….I really must learn to proof read! ;)))
Manuela, I’ll hope right along with you that it’ll be a much better year! So glad that you are blogging again. I have missed you.
Glad you are back. 🙂 for our family….this will be our year of Gratitude…for all God has brought us through in the past year. For myself, I have chosen “intentional living” to be a personal daily goal. No drifting allowed… 🙂 I have a couple of goals I “intend” on reaching…but I don’t call them resolutions either…
Hugs to you Manuela…looking forward to all your creative wheels spinning and showing us new and unique ideas and inspirations… xoxo
Hi Manuela! Happy New Year and thanks for stopping by my blog with kind words on my patchwork table. Yes, you can use acrylics on small sections of the table, and preserves well with a coat of acrylic sealer. Love your pretty mantle and focus word for the new year 🙂
Flourish…what a great word choice! I hope it will be a year of flourishing for you, both in ways that you plan and strive for and also in ways that catch you be surprise. My word for the year is savor. I am the mom of three nearly grown children and as last year sped by, i was often struck by the wish to stop, or at least slow, the clock. My intention for this year is to savor the opportunities at hand. I find that sometimes I am so busy worrying about the “next thing” that I miss the thing right in front of me.
Love your word choice! I think we could stand do a bit of that!
Manuela
Oh Manuela, I hope for you a wonderful 2012 and that you flourish mightily. It’s a wonderful word. My intention for the year is to establish healthy habits.
Mine is more like a phrase to live by this new year….Live Out Loud…I’m constantly trying to be checking my every move or what I say….soo this year I decided to push my myself out of my comfort zone….
Time has a way of healing our hurts….. I know the Maxie hurt is still fresh … oh how we love our fury loved ones….
I was so sad when I couldn’t reach your blog Pleasures of Homemaking I thought maybe you had a starker ….yikes…..
Thought I would try this one and what a wonderful surprise….. Dear dear Manuela…. how refreshing to find you again…
Love
Linda