I want to thank everyone who has visited my blog for the encouraging comments and support. Blogging is my favorite hobby, and I feel very blessed that so many of you have signed up to follow my posts via e-mail or have returned repeatedly despite my haphazard posting schedule. I’ve been distracted by family matters during the last few months, but things are settling down and I’m hoping for a more normal posting pattern in the upcoming year.
Rather than making a New Year’s Resolution post with promises to myself that I probably won’t keep, I’ve decided to list a few of the blessings I’ve received during the past year. Being grateful for what I have and for what I’ve accomplished is more important to me than listing things I wish I could change. So, not necessarily in order of importance, here are the top 10 blessings 2011 brought to me:
I’ve learned to trust that God’s plans are better than my plans.
My husband survived a delicate heart procedure.
My kids have been home to share the good times as well as the tough ones.
I am physically in better shape than I’ve been in several years.
My family and friends have been unwavering in their support through some difficult times.
There is currently nothing I really need that I don’t have or can’t get.
The future looks bright for my 3 children.
My 91-year-old mother is in good health.
I’ve made the decision to focus on the positive in every situation rather than on the negatives, and so far I’ve been able to stick with that decision.
I’ve realized that some things just aren’t important enough to waste my life worrying about.
None of these things relate to writing—that’s somewhere farther down my list of blessings. Due to the fact I haven’t been writing anything, I have no accomplishments to list in that area. However, I do still have a passion for the book I was working on last year, and I’m determined to devote more time to writing during 2012. (That’s not a Resolution! It’s a goal. 
)
***
At Grandmother's house
***
What are some of the things you’ve been blessed with during 2011? Do you have some goals for 2012 you’d like to share? Did you have a pleasant holiday season this year?
Blogging is a tremendous outlet for thoughts that can’[t seem to find expression in other forms of communication. Writers write to be read. That need is the operative force in writing. We can be as inspired as we’ve ever been, but we still need that connection and feedback.
http://georgesblogforum.wordpress.com/2011/11/02/the-daily-climb-2/
I agree we all benefit from constructive feedback and connections with other bloggers.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Carol
Happy New Year, Carol. Glad to know things went well with your husbands procedure and I wish you both continued health and happiness in the coming year and years. Also glad to hear you still are enthusiastic about you book and wish you well on that project. Peace and joy to you and yours.
~jon
Happy New Year to you, Jon. I appreciate your kind wishes and encouraging comments.
Carol
Carol it’s great to see you back on your blog again. Like J.M, I’m so happy to know things are getting better and your dear hubby is on the mend. You have been sorely missed. But we all understand family comes first. Wishing you and yours a wonderful, stressfree, productive (novel), healthy, happy, and prosperous 2012. May the Lord bless you, your home, your children and your dear husband with joy, love and peace beyond measure. And may He grant you all the desires of your hearts.
Love and blesssings,
Elizabeth
Thank you, Elizabeth. I pray you and your family will also have a healthy and prosperous New Year.
Blessings,
Carol
I spent two weeks over Christmas enjoying the blessings of family, and this week, as we cope with the sudden death of our brother and rely on the help of our family once again, those blessings are more evident than ever.
Wishing you many blessings throughout 2012.
Thank you, Carol.
My prayers go out to you and your family. Losing a loved one is hard, even with the support of our families. May God grant you all His peace and comfort as you adjust to your brother’s passing.
Sincerely,
Carol
[...] http://thewritingplace.wordpress.com/2011/12/29/feeling-my-blessings-today/ [...]