New Years Resolutions

I don't make 'em. I do not think it is necessary to have a "date" to change your life, and for me it actually works backwards. Positive changes can happen anytime, and some of my most successful ones have started on a Wednesday in the middle of a random month (or some such!). I am a firm believer that ANYONE can change, and that the New Year may help a few people (but not most!) and--that change is not easy.

That said, I am still trying to improve my life. I have been following FlyLady for about 9 years now, and many of the most positive changes in my life have come from her--but I am still not a great housekeeper*!

AND, the one goal I did make (but it wasn't a New Year's Resolution--it was just a goal for the year)--I AM DOING!

Tahh Dahh!



2010--THE YEAR I LEARN TO KNIT!

Yes, I know it isn't the world's most beautiful knitting, and I am having a bit of a hard time with patience! (Yes, I KNOW--I always do!) I know that I have to practice long enough to establish A) Rhythm, and B) Muscle Memory, but I STILL want to be great, instantly!

I keep reminding myself that everyone starts somewhere, and this is my start!

*Interestingly, on this topic, I was having a FABULOUS, late night girls talk** with one of my dearest friends, when this subject came up. She said something along the lines of "we all know you view it as a balance, with sanity and mental health on one end, and a perfectly clean house on the other--and you have to give up one to have the other!" I don't recall ever putting it into exactly that terminology before (although, I certainly could have, and have just forgotten it!), I do think it is fairly true.

I am searching for a balance--when my house gets too bad, it does "repress me+", but I know too many people, (and I have gotten caught in the cycle) that cannot do any living because their house isn't clean enough. They cannot stop to see the sunset, or build a snowman with their kids, or go on a walk--because they have 3 dishes in the sink. And, since there is ALWAYS more work, they never get to the living part.

Sigh, finding the balance is the hard part!


**Sorry, dear heart, I hope you have finally caught up on your sleep!

+Gratuitious Monty Python Quote: "Oh! Come and see the violence inherent in the system! HELP! HELP! I'm bein' repressed! I'm bein' repressed!"

Rebellion

Being a rebel for the sake of rebellion has no intrinsic value. Trust me. Rebelling against rules, propriety and manners is not difficult--most one year old's and every two year old can do it! Rebellion itself is not great or glorious. Rules, propriety, manners and culture exist to make us better individually and as a society, and blind rebellion weakens us individually and as a whole.

However, Rebellion for the sake of changing parts of society that are "broken" is of tremendous value. It is also much more difficult. There will always be people who hold the Andy Warhol's and Jack Kerouac's up as examples, simply because they behaved badly--but with flair. That is not true rebellion of change--it is merely bad behavior and public demands for attention.

The symbol of Gandhi's revolution was--a spinning wheel. The Charkha is a small, compact, portable spinning wheel that Gandhi invented. He understood that there was no point in overthrowing a government if your people don't have a way to support themselves. Spinning cotton was an ideal solution--India's tropical climate is ideal for growing cotton, 1 cotton plant provides enough fiber for 3 dishtowels or 1 small t-shirt (as well as seeds to continue growing more supplies!), and the box charkas are cheap to make (there are even plans available for making them from cardboard!) This is truly revolutionary thinking!

Any moron can destroy what others have built. It takes true genius and leadership to inspire every one around you to build up and improve.

Sam is Engaged!

The handsome son of my dear friend L, just announced his engagement. We became friends long ago, when I was still at home, and my mom had her fullest house ever. In those days, Sam was a bright and sparkly 4 year old, with big blue eyes and strawberry blond hair.

My mom had OOODLES of smart, funny, opinionated, literate unschooled children. The oldest of us were big enough to start showing the results of years of home school. This was back in the days of "you do what? Is that legal?" whereas now, when you tell someone you are homeschooling the most common response is "I know somebody who does that..."

Anyway, we became friends with L, who was between my mom's age and my age, and who also believed big families are great. My mom inspired L to homeschool her children. L had a big family, with mostly boys. Those children are now big, and going into the world to change and shape the future.

I am happy that these good men were allowed to be little boys first--they wiggled, they made noise, they got dirty, they took up lots and lots of room, and made lots and lots of messes. I am proud of them. I am proud of the way they grew up as individuals. They have gentle hearts and are kind, loving and strong. Our future is in good hands with men like these.

I am proud of their mom. I hope I can grow up to be like her.