OK, it’s January. Time for makin’ resolutions, turnin’ over a new leaf, startin’ fresh. I used to make (and break) lots of New Years resolutions: lose fifteen pounds, work out five times a week, not eat sweets until the weekend. (Right, that one lasted about a week!)
Now I set an intention. I got that from my niece Caitlin, who seems to have the inside scoop on all things New Age-y. “An intention is gentler,” she says. “When you break a resolution, it’s done. With an intention, you can lose sight of it, but that doesn’t mean it’s gone forever. All you have to do is refocus on it.” That works for me!
Besides, it’s kind of intimidatin’ to make big, honkin’ changes in your life, don’t you think? I mean, where do you start? I find it more doable to chunk things down into more manageable pieces.
My intention is to make 2013 my year of livin’ the good life. Meaning, last year was pretty swell, I got to admit, but there were parts of it that got so crazy busy, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I would have liked. So, I’m going to take my own advice. 
My new book, Finding Your Inner Moose, has twelve chapters, and for the first blog of every month this year, I’m gonna focus on a chapter. My intention is to chose a little change or two I can incorporate into my life that month, hoping it becomes a habit. Nothing big, mind you, just baby steps. Hopefully, those small changes will add up, makin’ 2013 a fabulous year. Come along for the ride!
OK, so let’s get started. Chapter One is called “You Can Learn a Lot About Life From a Moose,” and it’s true. Me and my friends, Celeste, Rita, Betty, Dot and Shirley call ourselves the Women Who Run With the Moose. We come up with that on a lark, after goin’ to a Women Who Run With the Wolves study group down to the library. That group was pretty much drop dead serious. Poor dears wouldn’t have known fun if they tripped over it. So me and the girls decided to form a women’s group of our own. You know, one that actually ran wild from time to time! We’re all from Maine, so we thought it should have somethin’ to do with our state. After much serious discussion, we decided on Women Who Run With the Moose. Well, it sounded better than Women Who Run With the Potato, or Women Who Crawl With the Lobster. What’s left? Women Who Hug Lighthouses?
So, when Caitlin and me started doing research for my book, she suggested we check out what having a moose as a totem means. “What the heck is a totem?” I asked her.
“It’s an animal that’s your symbol, like your zodiac sign. Comes from the Native American tradition.”
Struck me as kind of woo woo at the time, but I went along with it. Turns out, not only is the moose the totem of our group, but it’s my own personal totem as well. What’s yours? Caitlin says the first animal that popped into your head when you read that question is a good bet. Or maybe it’s an animal you dream about or like to visit at the zoo. Still unsure? Go online and Google “finding your animal totem.” They have some quizzes there that are wicked fun to do, especially if you and your group of friends have had a few Moxie Coolers (rum and diet Moxie for the uninitiated). For example, Shirley thinks her totem is a butterfly, but she strikes me more like a porcupine, ‘cause, between you and me, she can be a little prickly.
Anyways, each animal has different attributes that make it special. Even porcupines! My plan for January is to chose one of those traits, and try to work it more into my life. Here’s mine: “the moose teaches us to honor ourselves and reward ourselves for a job well done.” My intention for this month is to be a little kinder to myself. And when I do a good job (and it could something as simple as cookin’ a tasty, healthy supper for Charlie and me), I’m gonna pat myself on the back, maybe go shoppin’ or just sit down and catch up on my Oprah magazine. See? That’s what I mean: baby steps. What’s your intention for this month? January is all about makin’ a start.
That’s it for now. Catch you on the flip side!
IDA’S PODCAST: Making a Start
Start an “Unloose Your Inner Moose” Book Group
Twelve Chapters – twelve months – lots of fun and easy tips for “Livin’ the Good Life”. Just try one thing from one chapter a month, and by the end of the year, you’ll be surprised at how your good life has gotten even better. Do it yourself, with a buddy, or with a group.
Upcoming Book Events and Performances:
January 16
Book Reading
Portmouth Public Library
7:00 p.m.
603-427-1540
http://www.cityofportsmouth.com/library/
Portsmouth, NH
(snow date January 22)
January 23
Book Reading
Patten Free Library
6:30 p.m.
207-443-5141
http://www.patten.lib.me.us/index.html
Bath, Me
(snow date January 30)
February 15-17
I Married an Alien!
Garrison Players
Friday & Saturday @ 8:00 p.m.
Sunday @ 3:00 p.m.
603-750-4278
http://www.garrisonplayers.org/events.php
Rollinsford, NH
If you’d like me to do a reading at your library, organization or what not, please don’t hesitate to drop me a line:
ida@idaswebsite.com
And if your book group wants to read Finding Your Inner Moose, I’d love to be part of the discussion. Especially if food’s involved!
I like your intention, Ida. I’m adopting it, too! Happy New Year!