Monday, December 29, 2014

My Year in Review


I’m sure you are well aware that Facebook created this year in review thing, in which Facebook will look at your page and figure out what your best moments were on social media for 2014.  Yes, I fell prey to it.  I created it, watched it, and shared it with hundreds of ‘friends’.  The whole thing seems kind of funny now.  A short, 10-second, flip through clip shows everyone that’s your ‘friend’ what kind of year you had.  If you honestly care about my year in review, I will be more than happy to share with you here…in my own words.

2014 was a beautiful year, but there were also so ugly moments.  I hate to think that social media portrays this glorious year with a few pictures to prove to people that you’re the happiest person around, or if you are reading this and you’re already passing judgment thinking that I am a horribly miserable woman because I haven’t said anything positive yet- I am neither of those things.  Let me explain.

2014 was a great year of reflection on friendships for me.  I had days where I thought about past relationships that ended with no real closure and thought about trying to get closure.  I had days where I thought, “you know, I have really tried to make this friendship work- why am I not getting anything back in return?”  Then I had days where I avoided Facebook because ‘friends’ would post things and all I did was roll my eyes.

2014 was a year where I thought about deactivating my Facebook page on several occasions.  Then a small voice in the back of my head would say, “Oh, but how will people see pictures of Little Boy?”  “How will I keep in touch with old friends?”  “How will people contact me if they need me for something?”  (I’ve thought about deleting all of my Facebook ‘friends’ and letting people who actually care about what’s going on in my life be a Facebook friend.  I know, that’s a crazy thought, isn’t it?)  I still have the thought of deactivating Facebook; I will let you know when I have made a decision.

2014 is the year I turned 29.  Let me say, this was a hard birthday.  Usually, I’m pretty pumped about birthdays…not my 29th.  I can’t really explain to you why I was dreading this birthday but I was.  Maybe because I don’t feel like I have really accomplished anything.  Or the fact that I’m not happy with what my bathroom scale has to say.  I don’t know.

I can sit here and type this, and tell you with 100% honesty that 2014 was a year that taught me that I am human.  (I can’t do everything myself.  I have to ask for help.  I depend on others.)  Watching my year in review on Facebook reminds me of how blessed I am though.  I am able to stay home and raise my little boy.  I am healthy (even though I am not happy with the scale).  I have a roof over my head, a warm bed, unfailing love, and faith.  (And those are just the things that come to mind when I think of my Mr.) 

I am confident enough to speak my mind, give my opinion, and admit when I am wrong.  2014 was a year where I had to do all of these things.  In doing so, I learned that I am not perfect, nor do I need to act like I have it all together all the time.  I have days where I’m not happy.  There are days where I am wearing the clothes I had worn the previous day.  There will be days where I can’t find the positive.  Then there are the days where I can’t wipe a smile off my face.  I get everything on my to-do list done.  I am able to get a nap in!  (Those are good days.)

So, Facebook- I’d like to tell you what my year in review should have been.  It should have showed that throughout 2014, I have grown into a woman who I would want to be friends with.  I’m honest, a little over-whelmed, not always put together, maybe a little random; but I am filled with joy.  That’s what you should have shown.


Monday, December 1, 2014

Christmas Traditions…Are Christmas Cards Gonna Make It?

The Christmas countdown is on!  I love the Christmas season!  I can see the shift in people’s attitudes, demeanors, and views.  People tend to be a little bit friendlier, a little more outgoing, a little more stressed, a little more relaxed.  It just all depends.  I love seeing people saying hello to strangers or holding doors open for the people walking in behind them.  I think people genuinely try to be ‘nice’ during the Christmas season.

One of my most favorite things about the Christmas season is…CHRISTMAS CARDS!  I absolutely love walking to the mailbox in the month of December, wind whipping my hair in my face, opening the mailbox and seeing who sent my little family a card.  There is nothing better than getting a card from someone you’ve known since you were little, or an old high school friend, or a former co-worker. 

I love ripping open the envelopes to see what picture cards have been sent.  I love getting the old fashioned cards where people actually write a small note of hello to us.  I think Christmas cards are an amazing thing.  Sadly, I think they are on their way out the door.  Social Media is killing the joy of Christmas cards!

Can I tell you to not give in!  Don’t think that you can get away with posting your ‘card’ on Facebook and think that I’m OK with that.  If I have sent you a card, you can believe I am hoping that I will be getting one back in return.  I mean, what’s better: seeing a post on Facebook wishing you a Merry Christmas or physically opening up mail from a person who cared enough to let you know they were thinking of you this season?  (I’m going with the second option.)

I am in the middle of getting our cards ready to send out.  To be brutally honest, I have made a list, and will be checking it twice.  I hope that I get the same amount of cards back that I send out.  If not, I guess I’ll have to look my list over again and cross off names of people who do not send Christmas cards to my little family.  (That’s a little petty isn’t it?  Yes.  But, if I have taken the time to think of you, and spend money on cards and postage, I think the favor should be returned.)

Really think about sending out Christmas cards this year.  It’s a simple way of letting someone who has been an influence to you at some point in your life that you still think of him or her.  I promise, it will make you feel amazing to get a card back from them!  And, if you take my advice- Christmas cards will make it!