I’m writing this on New Year’s Day. Charlie’s putting together a bird house he got for Christmas. He really wanted to get to it and it makes him happy, so why not?
I told him, “No problem. I’ll walk Scamp this morning, and maybe we can all go out for an amble later on.”
I enjoy a morning walk with the litle guy. Not in the middle of a blizzard, of course. But the fact is, he gets me out when I wouldn’t bother. And amazing gifts come my way on these walks: a rosy sky at dawn with the dark silhouette of a tree’s bare branches, the smell of the outdoors made more intense by a light rain, just me alone with my own thoughts.
But this morning was special. Scamp and me have been walking for about five minutes, when I see, flying down the street toward me, up there, but not so high I couldn’t make out its white head, you guessed it: a Bald Eagle. I watched it for as long as I could as it flew toward me, over my head and, turning, as it soared off into the distance. Wow! It was just me, Scamp and that eagle and folks, a wave of awe and gratitude washed over me. I tear up and say, Thank you.
Then Scamp, completely unmoved by the experience, does his business, I bag it and we continue on our way. Just like real life, right?
Later in the walk, I see one of my neighbors, Floyd Wood, out on his stoop smokin’ a butt. “Morning, Floyd.” Then I remember and add, “Happy New Year!” And I continue walkin’.
Then I had a revelation. I know, huh? How many times am I gonna say “Happy New Year” in the next few weeks? It’s just somethin’ you do without thinkin’, right? What if I put some mojo behind it? What if, when I say “Happy New Year” I do it with “intention” as my niece Caitlin says. What if I really wish that person happiness in the new year, and at the same time, for myself, too. Kind of an affirmation (Caitlin, again). “I am going to have a happy new year.” Or even better, “I am havin’ a happy new year.” Just thinkin’ that made me feel good.
When I got home, I told Charlie about seein’ the bald eagle and he said, “Lucky you!”
“Yes, lucky me!” Another affirmation worth considerin’. I’m on a roll, folks! Wow, affirmations and intentions are so much more fun than resolutions. Give it a go!
So my wish for you in 2016 is to be open to trying new things. Be here now so you don’t miss those moments of awe. Appreciate, be grateful and say thank you. I know from experience that these things will get you through the good times and the rough patches. I just need to be reminded every now and then. Happy New Year, my friends!
That’s it for now. Catch you on the flip side!
IDA’s PODCAST: Happy New Year