Do Your Best! That's It!

So it’s New Year’s Day. Some folk were out to all hours last night partying and enjoying bringing in the New Year with a bang! Good for them. You know what I was doing? The usual. I have for years now, stayed home on New Year’s Eve, usually treating myself to Chinese food and a good movie and perhaps a glass of white wine. These last three years I’ve shared that with my Daughter, Sarah, since I’ve been single again. I’m not a partier. I’m not a party pooper either. But the whole idea of staying up to watch a midnight come and go just because it’s the last day of the year just doesn’t really do it for me. And starting the New Year in my cups just doesn’t seem like a good way for me to start it.

That said, I do take some time for introspection at New Year’s. Actually I tend to do it all through the Christmas Season. I do a great deal of journaling and being thankful for the events of the past year; yes, even those events that some of us may rather forget. They have taught me some valuable lessons. Perhaps I grew stronger because of something that occurred. Perhaps I grew more vulnerable; is that so bad?

But my New Year’s resolution is usually the same these last few years:

In 2014, I am committed to always doing my best!

That’s it! Now you may ask, “Honestly now, how can you always do your best?” Well the truth is there may be days when I don’t. But even that concept has changed only in the last couple of years.

You know how it is. Today I woke up and my head was ready to explode! Then I realized that my nose was a tap! And then the whole world sucked! Or maybe it was like this: I had a really rotten night of sleep (or lack thereof) and today I have no energy. Drag to the coffee pot…fall into the shower…prop up the eye lids with tooth picks…etc…

So does that mean that I won’t be able to do my best? CERTAINLY NOT!

Doing my best is not about doing perfection.

It’s not even close to that. On days when my nose is running and my feet aren’t I can still do my best. It will certainly look different to the days when I wake with zest and zeal! Actually these days mornings are a struggle at best. I was for years a morning person. I would easily get up anywhere between 6 and 7 and enjoy that time with a cup of Java. I realize that the last few years have really kicked the crap out of me. So I don’t beat myself up anymore than the years already have. Mornings suck! That’s just the way it is. But I get up and get going anyhow. And guess what? They are getting easier again – hallelujah!!!

So back to doing my best.

I strive to always do my best no matter how I feel,
how much energy I have or don’t have,
however sad or happy I am.

I can still give it my best shot. And today’s best shot may miss the mark compared to yesterday. But it’s still my best shot!

MY TRUTH: The world is hard enough on me. Gosh! I’ve been hard enough on me! I’m learning to be gentler, kinder, more giving and forgiving…of myself. Today I will do my best. Tomorrow I will too. They may look entirely different. That doesn’t make me stupid, lazy, useless, brainless, dumb, douchey, or anything like that. It just is! Period! I did my best! That’s my New Year’s resolution!

Do Your Best! That's It!