I have been reading about everyone's new year's resolutions and pondering the cyclical nature of life.
A Rabbi I know once described the cycle of the Jewish year as a spiral staircase. That in some respects, each year we find ourselves in the general vicinity that we were last year, but hopefully on a bit higher level. Now I will add my own take on that....
That we are standing in a place that is familiar. The angle of the light is the same, the way the world looks at this time is similar, the season is the same, but we are looking down just a bit, and can for a little while observe where we were last year at this time. It makes you introspective, you simply cannot help it.
I also notice how virtuous everyone's resolutions are. To take better care of their bodies, to learn, to grow, to do things differently so as to obtain better results. Could this be the year that we finally stop making excuses, and really grasp and hold onto our better selves?
Time will tell. Hopefully, we are choosing obtainable goals. Not setting ourselves up.
Trading in our all to available distractions, for focus and determination. Only then will be reap the harvest of rewards later. Prepare that soil, pull those weeds, plant good seeds, water them, care for them, and be sustained by their fruit when the time comes. . . . why, it's The Little Red Hen story!
I hereby establish and inaugurate forthwith:
The Little Red Hen Society.
[album 65561 Red Hen.jpg]
No one else is going to prepare your soil, pull your weeds, plant good seed, tend your plants, or harvest for you. Sometimes even when we ask for help, no one shows up. That didn't stop the Little Red Hen. And by golly, she and her chicks had more than enough to sustain them.
Well, if I want to bake that bread, I had better till my soil. Want to join me? You will be a Hen of One, wherever you are. (You could be a Big Red Rooster too, we are not feminists here....)
Let the preparations begin. Just THINK of the Octoberfest we could have this year!
The crowing! The celebrating! The unmitigated Snoopy dancing!
I want to whoop it up come harvest time because I have, in no particular order of importance:
Completed my novel.
Lost 5 pounds.
Maintained my Yoga practice.
Cleaned up my inner dialog.
Practiced Thankfulness.
Made a positive difference in the world.
If the Little Red Hen can do it, then so can I.
(What is this? Kindergarten? This woman is 53 years old. Who is she trying to kid anyway? I'm telling you, someone needs to call Shrink 911 over here!)
Stifle yourself () , or I'll peck your eyes out and use them to fertilize my wheat fields!