Be Encouraged! (New Years Edition)

January 2, 2025


Protecting one’s well-being and avoiding drama llamas were the main reasons why 85% of the respondents to a 2024 USA Today survey reported trying to find a way to avoid family gatherings and outings around the holidays. Thanks to the Self Help market (worth about 40 Billion in 2022), more folks are being empowered to decline invitations that aren’t good for them. The world is inundated with psychiatrists, psychologists, and counselors helping folks realize their self-worth, set up boundaries, and say “NOPE, NOT TODAY!” when dealing with the dysfunctional and malevolent.

But on the flip side, some will happily say YES to invites! Someone said, “The definition of success is when your older kids WANT to visit you.” So I was thrilled when my eldest, Randi Lynn, was excited to spend Christmas with me over the rest of her invites.

Our festivities occurred at 10 PM on Christmas Eve to help keep hubby on the same sleep routine as he was working overnights at Caltrans. I’ll forever remember Randi standing in the kitchen late that night cooking me and her steaks that Gordon Ramsey would have approved of while hubby got his last minutes of sleep before unwrapping presents. Watching her cook, I was proud of my baby girl growing into a woman who would not be pushed around or be anyone’s doormat as she told hilarious stories about her job with taxing customers, management, and problematic relatives. Her tales of shutting down people and situations brought laughter to the point of tears. Randi is a great storyteller! Such a comedian! I told her my prayer is that she meets a guy who loves God, is a fierce protector of her well-being, and is gentle with her soul and dreams, and that his family is not like the 85% of those USA Today surveyed. She expressed a desire for this God-fearing man to come with many tattoos. Fine by me.

I am not much for New Year’s resolutions; I simply try to be better than the day prior. I’m comfortable saying “no” to things I don’t want, but I was challenged by “What do I need to say YES to?” So, this is my focus right now. Saying yes to activities and people I love! Yes! More walks! And this time of year, walking in the rain is lovely indeed! Yes! I should dust off the piano keys, write more songs, and play! Yes! Crank up the stereo and dance! Yes! Let’s eat healthy foods that make my body happy! Yes! Another girl’s movie night at Tessa’s! Yes! To new adventures like the Downieville Book Club that Sonya Meline and I started for us ladies in town (though we did invite Paul Guffin- we can use his expertise). Yes, Yes, Yes! What should you start saying yes to?

Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 in the Old Testament details that there is time and season for everything. Saying YES and making time for people and activities I enjoy is a top priority this 2025! May it be for you as well!

God is good! Always!


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