So I love the end of the year, and subsequently the beginning of a new one. (It wasn’t always this way).
Is there anyone else out there who feels the way I do?
I know it is maybe a little cliche, and I am fully aware of the many out there who might point out that this time of year should be no different from any other time of year. A time to maybe set some goals, a time to reflect on the year that past, a time to plan your triumph, and all too familiar for many, a time to fall short on some of those well-meaning goals we set for ourselves.
To them I say, they are all 100% right.
I was recently reminded of how each new second is a completely clean & brand new one, one that has never happened before. A simple thought for sure. There really is no time like right now to look around, count our blessings, and think critically about what is working for us and what is not. Why wait for a certain time of year?
As I get older, I realize that the start of each new year does represent certain things to me, and that the power that a clean slate brings is quite wonderful to embrace. I often choose a word or two that will represent what I’d like to focus on (I already have mine for the year).
Never a bad time to reflect. Each moment presents itself new.
3 years ago I was struggling with a deep dissatisfaction that I couldn’t put a finger on, I had a compulsion that was out of control and desires that could never be filled (I wrote about it here and here). It was insane and unreasonable, but all too true. Things needed to change.
Two years ago I knew changes were coming, and I was excited. The search had begun, and I had no idea how or when I would find my next project. I owe huge gratitude to those who helped bring it on!
One year ago I had started on the journey. It was exhilarating and completely terrifying all at the same time.
This year, more than ever before, I feel so thankful and hopeful for both this past year AND the coming year.
This year brought this blog, sharing good food with those who have less & a re-ignited connection to the food that fuels us. It also brought a super warm and satisfying connection with ALL OF YOU. Truly, it has been so much fun, so thank you to each and every one of you for making this year truly special! 🙂
Whether you have commented, emailed, called, texted, spoken to me, (perhaps the best) passed me a sly comment at the dinner table about a recipe you’ve tried, or made a generous donation or volunteered your time, you’ve all made it a year to remember!
- What are your thoughts on creating goals for a New Year? Do you do it?
- Is there anything you accomplished in the past year that you are especially proud of?
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts, and best wishes to all for a safe & happy start to 2013! I owe you guys a cookie recipe I promised, but I am thinking that might have to wait until next Christmas….what do you think? Something more to look forward to is always a good thing!
Yours in Less,
in pursuit of more 
Shira, I feel that the new year brings a fresh start to things. I’m not big on “resolutions” but like you want to think about words to help focus and direct my life. I think the important thing is to put thought into what we do and not carry on mindlessly from day to day. Wishing you all the best in the new year!
Thank you Terri for sharing this, and I couldn’t agree with you more about carrying on mindfully – the new year offers a wonderful time to carry on with intent on whatever it is we desire to fulfill – Happy New Year! 🙂
Thank you for your inspiration and yummy recipes. Happy New Year to you and your family Shira. 🙂
Thank you LuAnn! And thank you to you for all of your support and encouragement 🙂 Blessings to you and yours!
It’s a great time of year to look back on things and see where improvements need to be made or give ourselves a pat on the back. I personally will see the end of January as the new beginning – once we have moved into the farmhouse and settled in. I’m looking forward to it. Happy New Year!
Best of luck on the upcoming move Heidi! Your farmhouse sounds idyllic and once again you have me pining for a slower life in the country..Happy New Year to you too, and thank you for all of your support this past year! 🙂 XO
Hey Shira, Nerry Christmas and a happy New Year! I have to be honest, and in sure you’d have guessed this, but I’m not a resolutions kinda guy. I just stop/start doing thing as and when the need/my morals/my wallet dictates! Still, I agree about the new year being a clean slate, a new start. I know my goals and I intend to succeed of course! Need to get involved in some more writing for a start! That’s the next thing, oh and also some exciting blog news soon (I hope)! I never type comments this long!
Merry*
I love this Nick – thank you for sharing with us! I love when you take the time for long comments 😉 Can’t wait for the blog news! If it involves self hosting we need to talk…. 😉
Even if I don’t always make resolutions, the new year is the perfect time to slow down, take time to think about where I’ve been and where I want to go, to generate ideas. It can be a time of pruning as well as planting.
What did I accomplish last year? On a small note, I started and maintained a blog which has brought me (and hopefully others) a great deal of joy and satisfaction and have started doing some other writing as well. We weathered my husband’s diagnosis of cancer and subsequent treatments and are thankful that he’s now cancer-free.
Of course there are other things but what I accomplished was to live my life as much as possible in accordance with my Christian beliefs and to be the best wife, parent and friend I could be. Not that I was perfect by any means, but that just gives me room to improve and have something to write about next New Year. 🙂
Thank you for sharing this with us Janet – I had no idea you had to endure such a painful experience with your husband (I think I do remember you mentioned it at some point actually). Best to you and your loved ones for a great year and thank you for all of the support and kindness you shared with me – congrats also on your first year of successful blogging! XO
What a sweet, sweet post, Shira. I’m also excited about the coming year, if only because it means a hard and sad year is now behind me. I made it through. I’ve got so much to look forward to! Thank you for your beautiful posts over the past year, for your lovely spirit and for the good you are doing. xoxo
Thanks for sharing this Annie, and I wish you all the best in putting away all the pain that you had to endure this past year – you handled it all with such grace & honesty – it was a gift to share it with you along the way 🙂 Thank you for all of your wonderful support & kindness this past year as well – looking forward to another fantastic year! XO
My Cooking blog adventure is continuing and in 2012 I understood how cooking is important to me. It is also a way to understand the importance of family, to do things with the most passion possible and to understand that life is everchanging!
2013 is still unknown but it will be challenging to discover each and every day and to look to my new objectives with the hope everything will go well. And if not I will work on it till it will!
After all noone draws our future beside ourselves!
Very good perspective – and best of luck to you on your upcoming blog adventures!
I know it would seem like I’m all ready there, but I’d like to eat more cleanly in 2013. The better I eat, the better I feel. I’d also like to break 2 hours in a half marathon (easy for many, challenging for me)
YES! A great goal to run faster (though really that is no slouchy time girl) – I am with you on the cleanly…we could all do better I am certain! Hows it going so far?
I’m not so much of a resolution sort of gal, but I’m all for setting small goals for myself throughout the year. I’m definitely looking forward to getting more organized with the blog and life in general this coming year (since things have gotten so out of control recently!). I wish you and your family a wonderful new year, Shira! Big hugs! XO
Thank you Kristy! If you learn any new tricks on staying organized, dole them out will you?! I’d love to improve in that regard as well … BIG hugs to you too my friend! XO
happy New Year Ms Shira! Sending you much love for 2013!
Thanks Marina – happy New Year! 🙂 XO
Happy New Year Shira! I hope the New Year brings more food adventures! One of my biggest resolution is becoming less stressed. I find that I get caught up with the world and expectations from other people.
A fabulous resolution, I think I might just join you on that quest 🙂 Thank you for all of the support this past year!
I’ve never been much of a resolution kind of guy. I tend to do things when I’m ready to do it. January 1st has little to do with it. A new year is getting ready to start, however, so, here’s wishing a joy-filled 2013, Shira, for you and yours.
Thank you John, right back at you! 🙂
I’m obviously not very good at resolutions (I promised myself I’d go to the office today and at least clean off my desk, but it didn’t happen). Thanks for the reminder to be mindful every day though. Hope that 2013 brings you many good things!
Thank you Michelle – you as well – here is to a fabulous year!
Love a fresh, clean slate! It’s always nice to have a chance to re-start on things, to do certain things a little better, and to bless others more! Happy 2013! 🙂
Yes, me too! Happy 2013 to you as well! 🙂
You are an inspiration to the blog world and we are all so lucky you’re here! I don’t set goals usually, except for one overall fitness goal. This year id like to run 4 half marathons. Nothing too crazy!
Happy new year Shira! I am constantly changing, constantly evolving, regardless of a new month, or new year. However, with so much hype that happens at the beginning of each new year, it does cause one to think even harder about what goals/changes they’d like to accomplish in the new year. I have big ones and I’m so excited about this year. God bless!
Happy new year Shira! I am not the resolution kind of person too, because i make some and never stick to them. but maybe this year it will be different. last year i focused more on the blog and had a good fundraiser and all that kept me from being depressed about my personal progress. this year will be a bit more about me. If I cannot heal myself physically and mentally i wont be able to do more.
I went through a shopping phase when i was in chicago and working in a hedgefund. making a ton of money, too busy to notice that i was totally unhappy, and eventually i crashed and burned and ran away from the job. all that morally questionable finance practices and partying life was for me.
Richa, thank you for sharing your story about living in Chicago – I had no idea! I hope 2013 IS the year of you after all you deserve it..and healing has to start with the self love that we all deserve. Wishing you all the best! XO
Happy New Year! It’s fun to read about someone else who has a word or two for the year. Mine is surrender. I am not sure how it will play out, yet, but I guess that’s the point? I get to learn how to go with the flow and relax or something along those lines. I am not really looking forward to it, which is how I know it’s the perfect word for me! Here’s to life and growth. Cheers!
Wonderful, thank you for sharing that! One of the phrases a friend shared with me this past week really resonated – very much like surrender – is ‘lean into it’….like a surfer on a big wave. Amazing. Happy New Year!
You helped make my first vegan Thanksgiving possible. Thank you! And blessings to you in 2013.
Wow, thank you Shannon – I am so glad it was a success! Blessings to you and yours as well! 🙂
I am also looking forward very much to this new year, the first year of my retirement, with lots of new things to come!
Wonderful, congrats to you on your retirement Joan! XO
Congrats on all the change you have experienced and I wish for it to continue for you! I can’t believe you just started this blog in 2012, it has grown so fast! Congrats Shira!
Thank you Anna – and thank you for all of your support this past year! Here’s to a great year ahead for all! 🙂
Your posts never fail to inspire me – I love your perspective on life! I am not one for resolutions, however at the start of each New Year I create a Life List – there are two sides to my list; Long Term Goals & Short Term Goals; I think about what I want to accomplish this year along with goals that I would like to reach in the future – it can be 5, 10, 20 years away. Throughout the year I look forward to crossing off my goals for the year and I absolutely love looking back and reading the past lists and goals, it is fun to see how my long term goals change from year to year and what goals remain steadfast.
I for one can’t wait to read about your adventures in 2013!xo
Amazing Heather, this is an inspiring take on life planning for sure – thank you for sharing this!
Many thanks to you for all of your support this past year, Happy New Year! XO
Love the honest and generous sharing of good cheer! Best to all of us in 2013!
Shira, it’s been pure joy getting to know you. You’ve created a very special place here – and though the food you present is wonderful, and it’s front and center, I love that food isn’t All we find here. Yours is also a place of emotional and spiritual nourishment. It’s a place we come to for inspiration. You’re doing wonderful, valuable things with your life and it’s an honor and such a pleasure to call you Friend! Happy New year to you Shira m’ Deara! xxo
Dear Spree, Thank you thank you thank you! I’ve got to tell you you are one of the bright lights of my blogging life and I appreciate from the heart every single one of your comments. You have become a true friend and I feel blessed and lucky to know you 🙂 Thank you for this from the bottom of my heart, and happy new year to you as well! Many blessings for a truly amazing year! XO