As the year is about to close, I am hearing more and more  people making New Year’s resolutions. I have never really been good at making or keeping those promises. I remember one year I resolved to stop saying bad words. I made the resolution at midnight and I did well until I got out of  bed. Then there was the year I resolved to cook everyday and not eat out. I honestly tried, but I ended up wasting so much food because I have not yet mastered how to cook for one person. I don’t like leftovers and I don’t like messing up my kitchen.

After those failed attempts I decided to take the pressure off  of myself and resolve not to make anymore resolutions. Instead, I decided I would do my best each day and try new things even if I have to do it afraid. I look back on the year and it has definitely been full of mountains and valleys,  but in the midst of it all some small things that I accomplished are turning into wonderful beginnings of much larger things. So many of us overlook the small things because they are not often flashy or big public displays, but they matter too.

Here are some of the things I celebrated this year by dancing when no one was watching or by jumping up and down on my bed:

• Learned how to use an IPad even though I am a dedicated android user
• Went an entire week with a pain level of 5 instead of 10
• Upgraded my car on a rainy day
• Started writing my story for my book
• Danced with my granddaughter
• Told someone no and did not feel the need to explain
• Started saying yes more than no
• Started my LLC
• Investing in marketing my business
• Wore a tank top with the bandages under my arm

Celebrate getting dinner on the table before 10 o’clock. Celebrate not being stuck in traffic. Give yourself a pat on the back for choosing a salad over a cheeseburger or for choosing a cheeseburger over a salad.  There is no such thing as something being too small to celebrate. We have to celebrate even the smallest of things while we are on our journey through life.  It’s about the journey and not the destination.

“From small beginnings come great things.”