Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Hello 2014~it's so NICE to see you!

2013 has come and gone, and I am not going to lie...I am GLAD it is OVER!!  2013 has been a very difficult year for me and my family.  I am SO HAPPY for a new year and a clean slate!!  Welcome 2014!!  I have seen a lot of people choose words for the new year, I have never done that in the past, but this year, my word is GRACE.  

Our family decided to leave our church in 2013, it was a very sad and difficult decision, but one that I know will be blessed.  The hardest part for me, was that the people you thought would always have your back~turned on a dime and were sticking a knife in it.  I went through several months of bitterness and anger.  How could these people treat me and my family this way?  Mike also lost his job at UOP due to a huge layoff in August.  Could things get any more stressful~unfortunately YES!!  In September, I could no longer handle the stress and anxiety and had a severe bout of IBS which was so bad that I passed out while driving home from work one day.  Thankfully no one was injured (just a few bruises and black eye for me), but it was a real eye opener.  I decided it was time to pick myself up and brush myself off and pull it together and let it go!!  Let go of the anger, bitterness and unforgiveness.  Which brings me to my word for 2014 GRACE.  I want people to show me GRACE~I want to show people GRACE (I am not talking about being a doormat here!!).  Does it really matter who was right and who was wrong?  What matters is relationships (especially the ones that are important to me)!!

So what are my goals for 2014?  Showing GRACE.  I also decided that I am going to start being nice to myself!!  I recently read an article about this.  Why are we so hard on ourselves?  I mean, would I treat my family and friends the way I treat myself~NOPE!!  For example, if I want to eat a cupcake, why do I make myself feel so guilty about it?  I would tell a friend~enjoy the cupcake!!  Now I am not saying it is OK to eat cupcakes all the time, but once in a while, enjoy the splurge.  If I don't feel like cleaning my house, I am going to give myself a free pass, instead of beating myself up and feeling bad for not doing it.  This will be a challenge for me, but if I can do it 50% of the time~GO ME!

I am also going to go back to regular blogging this year!!  I have missed it so much!!  I am not sure what it will be about, but I am excited to find out.  I will keep doing my weekly photo dump and Project Life (and post about my pups!!), that is for sure!!  So Today I am going to clean off my messy desk and do some organizing. 


Happy 2014 Everyone!!  Be nice to yourself!!
Enjoy Today!

8 comments:

Anja :) said...

Have a wonderful and happy new year!!! May it be blessed with a lot of joy, happiness, grace, health and everything you wish for!!! Even though, we have never met in person, you guys are always on my mind and in my prayers!!! I can't wait to read your posts about your life! God bless you and your wonderful life!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful Gretchen. In 2012 I claimed Romans15:13. A lot. I have had "those years". A couple of times. God has always moved us past the hurt to something better. It sounds like your head is on straight and that He has shown you some of His plan. Run and don't grow weary my friend! Hugs!
Shelli D.

Unknown said...

Beautifully written. Wishing my awesome daughter a fabulous 2014 Love you!

Jodene said...

Oh Gretchen, I am so sorry that 2013 was such a sucky year for you! I had no idea you were going through all of that. Good on you for letting it go and moving on from it all. Unfortunately it is times like that when you find out who your true friends are, but that in itself can be a blessing.
I think your work for this year is very appropriate. I wish you and your gorgeous family every happiness in 2014 xx

Pam D. from MI said...

Gretchen... I feel the same way about 2013 and am so glad it's over. So sorry to hear of all the stuff you have had to deal with. I wish you and your family happiness and health in the new year!

Anonymous said...

I am sad to hear all of this and I will be praying for all of you.

Patrice said...

GRACE is a beautiful word and a wonderful way to approach this new year. Sorry to hear 2013 was such a lousy one for you and your lovely family. Lucky it's in the past and we all have a brand new start...

I'm so looking forward to your regular posts. Something I hope to do again this year after a bit of a hiatus.

xox

June K said...

Wishing you a much better year in 2014. Look forward to your blog postings (fur-babies. . . love seeing and reading about them, too). Hugs.