Appreciation

While using my time wisely last week and browsing Facebook, I read a status that said, "If you appreciate someone, tell them today. They might not be here tomorrow." I thought two things:  first, that is one of the most true statements I've ever heard and two, I guess I need to step up my Facebook statuses.  "Go Broncos!" doesn't seem to have such a motivational punch. :)  

So I started thinking about it and there are so many stories of gunshots, freak accidents, and sicknesses, that make it seem more true now than ever, that you have no idea when your time on Earth will be over.  So how are we showing appreciation to all those around us?  I feel like it's somewhat easy to show appreciation to a spouse or your parents or your best friends, because they are around more often in your daily lives (not saying we do it enough, but it's "easier.")  So I started thinking about the others that I'd show appreciation to and so many people started flooding my mind.  

What about the friends you've had for over 20 years who have seen you through many of life's ups and down, but that you don't talk to as much anymore?  How about your cousins who were your first friends and are always there to laugh about your family's disfunction?  Or the person who was the first to teach you what love feels like?  A coach or teacher who taught you lessons that you still use everyday?  Or a child who has taught you much more than they'd ever know? I know it made me sit back and think of all those people in my own life and how truly special they are to me.  Some I told, regrettably some I didn't.  

So here's the question, who are the people you appreciate and have you told them lately?  

Time

As I sat back and thought about the new year, I realized I needed a resolution.  A good resolution.  One that would actually inspire and change me.  As I thought, I stumbled upon an article that posed the idea of picking a single word for yourself for the year as your "resolution."  There were words like patience, kindness, grace, and so on.  This word, the article suggested, was supposed to mean something to you and obviously help you achieve different goals throughout the year.   

I liked this idea, but what word could I use that would mean something to me and help me enjoy this year?  I came up with the word "time," and it just seemed to work the more I thought about it.  

So in my 30th year of life, to celebrate all the time that has passed and the times yet to come, I'm focusing myself on the word "time."  Here are some of my ideas of how I am planning on using "time" this year.  I'm sure some will happen and some won't, just as I'm sure the word "time" will take on its own meaning in my life throughout the year.   

Time to try something new.
Time praying and growing closer to God.
Time to continue dating my husband.
Time spent with my girlfriends.
Time to laugh and act silly.
Time to reconnect with old friends.
Time to plant a garden in my new backyard.
Time to go on trips and travel to new places.
Time volunteering and giving back.
Time to actually be with my family.  
Time to think about the future.
Time to become a better teacher.
Time having long conversations on the phone with friends.
Time to send real mail!
Time to get to know my parents more while they are young and vibrant.  
Time to try a new form of exercise.
Time hanging out with my brother. 
Time putting down the cell phone and technology and look around at this beautiful world.
Time to take pictures. 

Time to blog (so I can actually realize and remember all the things that the year will bring.) 

Time to celebrate 30 great years that have shaped me into the person that I am today!

Here's to all the great things that "time" will bring.  :)