Wow! What a whirlwind of a year it has been. All of us have been deeply affected by the various events of 2020, from the virus to the civil unrest to the most tumultuous election of our time. I, for one, am ready to leave 2020 behind and to move on to a year full of hope and new beginnings. Won't you join me?
How can we make 2021 a better year than 2020? There are many things we can't control, but let's focus on some of the things we CAN do. We can control the way we think and act. First off, I intend to be more grateful for all my blessings. It's easy to look at all the negative in the world and to get bogged down. It's also easy to keep so busy that we miss the beauty of what's going on around us. Last year when things began closing down because of the virus, our small business lost the majority of our workforce due to closures. At the same time, we had more orders than ever as more and more people began gardening. My husband and I and our two daughters worked many long hours last winter and spring trying to keep up. I found myself in a go-Go-GO mode that has been very difficult to get out of.
I always try to start each day thanking God for the good things in my life. Often though, as the day progresses, I forget to be watchful for the blessings. This year, my goal is to take a few minutes before each meal (somehow, I don't have a problem remembering to eat!) to reflect on the previous few hours and name those things that I'm thankful for. Like that cup of coffee my husband brought me this morning or the wagging tail of my dog as she greeted me at the door. I hope that this practice will have me focused on the good throughout my entire day...so when I go to sleep at night, I can do so with a joyful heart
Another thing that I intend to work on this year is connecting more. I spent way too much time last year focused on my work, myself, and my immediate family. I can't tell you how many times I walked past people in the store without even seeing them, since I was all wrapped up in my own thoughts and to-do list. This year, I feel drawn to reconnect with the people around me. To make eye contact with the people I pass, to hold the door for someone and give them a smile, to say thank you to the cashier at the grocery store. More than that, I'd like to reconnect with friends and extended family that I've neglected. Often when a person comes to mind, I take a second to lift them up in prayer. This year I'd like to go one step further and reach out to them by making that phone call or sending them that note. I'm discovering that life is much too short to neglect those who matter.
Hopefully this will be a happier, more peaceful, more healthy year for all of us. We wish you all the best. From your friends at Paw Paw Everlast Label Company.
www.EverlastLabel.com
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