New Year Musings

It is the New Year and every interest group to which I belong encourages me to make a list of resolutions, things I hope to accomplish in 2022.

This has always proven an anathema to me as I have never been driven by high aspirations. No wish to be President of the United States, most accomplished writer, most noted photographer. None of the above. If I had understood in days gone by what I know now, my list would have been short; let me be content and joyful in my life.

The amazing and wonderful truth is that there is no need to aspire to this anymore. I am both content, happy and filled with gratitude. Even on days when the world does not behave as I would like, I am blessed to be alive with such abundance in my life.

I love my new apartment with a lawn in front and a porch in back, an oak tree overlooking it that hovers many feet in the sky. It is green in summer, bright gold in autumn and the wind whistles through it in winter. I await the experience this Spring. I have squirrels, bunnies and birds in my back yard. Delicious company.

I love being close to my family. My son lives just down the road and I see them often. My grands, twins, helped me move and we lunch one on one from time to time. My son and I plan to eat at all eighteen restaurants in New Canaan. We have dined at five to date. Such joy to be closer in space.

I love my new friends that, remarkably, I have met through tennis and the dog park. My concern was that, with no small children at school, it would be difficult to meet new people. Not so. I have stumbled into a close, delightful circle of friends and everyone has welcomed me with warmth.

I love the ever evolving parade of dogs who share my life. I presently have three Bichons and one Toy Poodle. From time to time I show them with unexpected success. Dylan, a ten month old puppy Bichon, and I begin training this week in advance of his new career. My favorite activity for it creates a unique opportunity to bond.

There are not always dog shows. There have been long periods in time without them and the dogs and I live happily together. We walk together and now have this amazing dog park for them to enjoy. These little souls bring a sense of order and joy to my life. I cannot imagine one without them.

I love my job at BerkshireStyle. I admire the people who work with me to bring you the features every week. It keeps me sharp, interested and in the game. It allows me to be part of this vibrant community and, hopefully, to contribute to the region I love. And we all have fun along the way.

I could go on and on with gratitude that I am alive, healthy and living with such abundance. Each moment, each day brings new awareness. I become more deeply conscious of the brilliance of the human body, of the universe, of creation, of love. The more I acknowledge, the more I am in awe of the miracle of all things.

So, for me, there is no need for a list of resolutions. I have it all. Of course, there are things I wish to accomplish within the calendar year but they are only items on a list. Some will get done, others not. The trick I have discovered is to live in the moment, make your daily plans and wait to discover how life evolves and delights.

I wish you all a spectacular New Year and gratitude in the moment. Life really sings that way.