Taking Stock and Looking Ahead With Excitement

Since I began the year with the ‘flu, I’ve been putting off “taking stock” because I simply haven’t had the energy to think of new stuff. I focused more on finishing up client projects (I like my bread, butter, and flavored cheese).

The afternoons have been a bit lethargic and warm – and I felt too tired to do anything much besides the usual housework, not to mention the mountains of laundry I had to tackle.

Still, I’ve been eager and busy planning in my head about all the things I want to do this year. Somehow it pushes up my adrenalin when I think about making a list. I like to write down everything and visualize ticking things off. I feel very excited to see all the check marks.

My lists are usually on giant-sized paper and I keep the sheet (folded like an accordion) with one heading in each panel for months at a time, as it gives me an overview of what I’ve been up to, what I’ve accomplished and what I’ve been falling short on.

So, right now, I’ve got the list in bits and pieces in my spirally bound notebook. Soon, I’ll organize it and have it on my official list! Hence the taking stock!

The year began on a great note, though, and I feel the happiness buzz. I guess meeting close friends always does that. I’ve also had the privilege of seeing my old school and of course, I became all teary-eyed thinking back in time, when I was in school in the ’70s.  I took pictures from across the road because there was a road divider I couldn’t jump over.

I have been taking stock of my work

…and find myself looking forward in a big way. So grateful for that. I would have posted a list of my 2012 resolutions, but am too shy to share it, because some of it is personal.

One of the things I intend to do this year is learn a lot. I have a list of things I want to know more about and thanks to the Internet and other generous bloggers offering tutorials and guides, I am hopeful I’ll cover most of what I want.

Things like some basic HTML, Google Analytics, using the Google Webmaster tools, a makeover for my blog (maybe), start a newsletter and so on. But more than anything else, I appreciate the valuable learning I get on a daily basis by just visiting my favorite blogs.

I also want to make Vidur’s dream come true – that of publishing his book. He’s the sort who’ll stick with deadlines; so I am hoping that by November at least (November because it is his birthday month) we’ll be able to print the first edition. I am very much looking forward to that.

It would be odd if I didn’t mention that I hope my own book “The Complete Health Guide for Women” meets a publisher this year. But only the first draft is ready and I’ve got lots more to do before it meets a reader, Inshallah!

More than anything, I plan also to give my home a complete DIY makeover and I have a feeling it is going to be great fun and I am going to enjoy it very much. I’ll post updates when I do something!

Not to forget, 2012 will also be the year when my son will go to the tenth grade in April and turn 15 in November. Seems like just the other day he was a bebe I was holding in my arms!

And now, he’s about a head taller than I am. Hmm.

Just one more thing!

I’ve got one more thing to share that I am thrilled about, today. Betsy of  The Zen-Mama’s blog was kind enough to feature me on her blog today. Some time back, I wrote a post titled “My Happiness Jar Project“. I started my Collecting Smiles project, inspired by a post I read titled “Take Two Smiles and Call Me In the Morning”.

We’ve had a very exciting time filling that Happiness Jar, and when Betsy suggested an interview, wow!, I was pretty excited and also humbled that she would want to share this with everyone. And here is the lovely result – Vidya’s Happiness Project! Thank you, Betsy, for working your magic! 

And don’t forget to let me know if you plan to make a  Happiness Jar for yourself! Believe me, it is fun and a 100 % feel-gooder!

A huge thanks to everyone who read and commented on my post Keeping Time: Scenes from Life: Miracles Do Happen at Emily’s blog. You’ve no idea how overwhelmed I felt! I am also happy I got to meet some terrific bloggers there.

What can I say? Life is good.

With Love.