For me, the winter season is marked by two beautiful bookends – Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day. What could be better than 3 months that start with gratitude and end with love?
This is the time to refresh and re-energize – take stock and make plans. It’s the time to set goals, develop a schedule for the new year, and prepare for What’s Next. Typically, as my closest friends know, I rest, write and think during the winter months. Peggy, one of my oldest – wait – longest-term? friends knows this about me and has remarked “you always like being quiet on holidays.” I got used to being alone while I was in Oregon for winter holidays, and turned it to my advantage. Naps, note-taking, and Chinese food in Ashland – I just mooched around and thought about what I wanted to do the next year. I got so habitualized to it that it took my sister-in-law Amy to show me it’s ok to just do the family thing when I moved back east. But I still use Thanksgiving as the day to start my winter rest and rebirth.
So – as you think about the new year, take a look at what you’ve accomplished, and where you want to go. Include your dog…why not? Your dog is a big part of your life! If not, why not just get a stuffed animal, right? Your dog can help you exercise more, learn new things, meet new people. While you are training your dog, your dog can be your coach.
Happy Beautiful Bookends – xo BA
