New Year's Resolutions??? Not Me!

Baby New Year
Originally uploaded by aranem

As the year rolls away, will you find me making New Year's Resolutions? NO!!!

It IS tempting to do it, but I agree with Mark Twain, who said:
"To promise not to do a thing is the surest way in the world to make a body want to go and do that very thing."

OK, one might say that a good resolution is a promise TO DO something! Well, that doesn't work for me, either......... because the premise of the resolution is to do it all year long. That is just too much pressure for me. One day at a time is all I can handle.

So, here's wishing you a safe and happy New Year's Eve, and, one day at a time, a blessed and peaceful year of 2010.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all, and peace each day of the year to come.

I have a special place in my heart for small choirs (because I've sung in small choirs since the 4th grade). I'm not sure how others make You-tube videos show up directly on their blog, so I'll just include a link to a wonderful small-choir version of Gesu Bambino. Let us adore Him, absolutely!
Enjoy!

YouTube Gesu Bambino

Stone Walls

Stone Walls
Originally uploaded by DigitalLyte

An amazing "aha" moment happened for me this past Friday during my Advent candle-lighting devotion. The scripture was Isaiah 58: 6 - 9. Here's verse 6 in the Contermporary English version:
"I'll tell you what it really means to worship the LORD. Remove the chains of prisoners who are chained unjustly. Free those who are abused!"

What does that have to do with a stone wall? Well, I have this tendency to build a wall around my inner self when I've been hurt; trying to protect myself from being hurt again. Let me tell you, that doesn't work! It just turns me into a prisoner of my own making. I've been building that wall again lately, and reading this reading woke me up to the fact!

The rest of the reading:
"Share your food with everyone who is hungry; share your home with the poor and homeless. Give clothes to those in need; don't turn away your relative. Then your light will shine like the dawning sun, and you will quickly be healed. Your honesty will protect you as you advance, and the glory of the LORD will defend you from behind. When you beg the LORD for help, he will answer, "Here I am!"

I can already feel the healing in my spirit. What a joy!

Oh, and if you click on the photo, you'll see the original post on Flickr, along with the lyrics to Jim Croce's song "Stone Walls". Jim Croce, and perhaps the person posting on Flickr, must have felt just like I feel!