a resolution...

It's not a secret that the beginning of a new year pretty much inevitably coincides with the inexplicable desire to improve oneself...at least I don't think it's a secret...and I don't think it's just me. Almost every year I have ideas of things I want to do to improve. Ideas - but, unfortunatley, I don't always translate those ideas into specific goals or "resolutions"...and therefore, I usually don't follow though on those ideas...so I guess that's why I haven't improved myself in years (ha)!

This year, as always, I have some ideas of things I want to achieve throughout the year. Yes, I'd like to lose a few pounds (okay, more than a few). Yes, I want to be more consistent with my scripture reading and prayers. Yes, I want to be a more patient wife and mother. Yes, I want to organize my home - completely. Yes, I want to be a better friend. Yes, I'd also like to win a mother of the year award (not likely - just ask my 10 year old - she'll tell you). I think all of these things are important...well, not the award so much...and I'm going to work on improving myself in each of these areas...you may or may not be seeing me blog about them, but I'm committed nonetheless.

There's one thing though, that I have decided will help me in so many aspects of my life. I have committed to myself to do one small act of kindness each week throughout the coming year. It doesn't have to be anything out of the ordinary, not necessarily anything that anyone would even give much notice to....but for me, it's important to do this. I seem to get so caught up in my own little world (yeah, it's ironic that I even named my blog after it...how sad) - that I don't take time to do things for others. I know it's important. I know how I've felt when someone has taken the time to send me a card, just because. I know what a difference it can make when someone stops by just to visit. I know how much a phone call at just the right time can mean. I want to be THAT person. The one who makes the call, drops off the cookies, sends the card. That person. And this year I am going to be.

Anyway, I was thinking today about a few things I could do. I decided I wanted to take a certain something over to a friend, but when I called she wasn't home (I'll have to do it another time). Then I sat down at my computer earlier tonight to read some e-mails and check a few blogs. That's how I found this post on Aby Garvey's blog. And there it was, the "something" I could do this week. It's not a big sacrifice for me to fill up a box full of my extra scrapbook supplies to share with a young girl whose biggest WISH in the whole world is to have her own art studio so she can stamp and scrapbook and make cards. Wow. I think she must be an amazing girl - I mean, after all...I honestly think scrapbooking and card making are pretty selfless acts. Normally when you create a card it's to give to someone else. And if you create a scrapbook page, it's to share with others - even if you aren't planning on physically giving the scrapbook to someone, you're sharing your thoughts, feelings, stories, ideas, hopes, dreams, and talents - right?

Obviously I have absolutely no idea who this girl is - and I don't really need to. I am so excited to be able to share with her, and even though my contribution will be so very small compared to others I am excited that I can help make her wish become a reality. If you have some extra supplies you'd like to share, just contact Aby (click on her name for a link) and she'll give you the information. You can also read her blog post here.

So...that's what I've been thinking about at this late hour (gotta love when the insomnia kicks in, lol) and I thought I'd share it here...just in case someone else might have a similar resolution...just in case someone else might be looking for a small way to help someone else this week. :o)