Today has been an oddly positive day. While I didn't get much work done--there is a festive, "do it later" atmosphere in our office on the day before a holiday which I'm sure is common--I feel caught up and ready to hit the ground running next week. (Which is especially awesome, as January 1 starts my "billing year," meaning all the work I do starting next week is counting toward a possible bonus in 2011.)
The weather here today has been decidedly un-Phoenix-like, and I think that has contributed to the holiday mood in the office. From my office a few floors from the top of our 20-story office building, I have been able to watch the skies changing minute by minute as clouds move briskly through the metro area. I can actually see snow (almost magically) appearing on the peaks of mountains only 10-20 miles away! Very cool and unusual for here.
The new carry-on luggage I ordered a few weeks even arrived today, just in time for my trip to my dad's tonight. Serendipity!
Whatever you have planned to celebrate the coming of the new year, I hope it's fun. I imagine we will be spending a quiet evening in with my father and stepmother, and that suits me just fine.
I confess, I am not sorry to see 2010 end. I thought 2009 was one of the toughest years of my adulthood, and truth be told, aside from finding a new job--which, really, in this economy, cannot truly be an aside--this year was not much better for me. Damn infertility.
I read a news article recently about a man who decided to send 365 handwritten thank you notes in a year. (I think he wrote a book about the experience.) I confess, a resolution like that really appeals to me. It's not at all self-centered; it would likely bring joy (or at least positive feelings) to other people; and it really wouldn't be that hard to do, as you'd only have to average one note a day.
Simply counting my blessings myself or keeping a gratitude journal does not seem to be enough to lift my mood most days and take me out of myself. Maybe I will try that and/or some new volunteer work in the new year.
Cheers!