Every new year people across the country make resolutions.  Perhaps its something new to try, a goal to reach or a change they'd like to make.  Whatever the resolution may be, its around the month of march that enthusiasm begins to wain if it hasn't already.  Life gets the better of us.  Old habits die hard. The new year doesn't seem so different from the last and you feel like your on the same path.

A year ago or so, in march of 2015, I made a simple resolution with myself.  It wasn't long after winter started to thaw that I began to recognize the truth in the notion "there's never a perfect time".   So I made the commitment to myself that I wouldn't wait for the "perfect" moment to do, try or say something.  If I thought of an activity, thought, or change I wanted to make I would simply do my best to implement it right away.  "Why wait" was my mantra.

Not being one for resolutions in the traditional sense I was skeptical of the whole idea.  But I quickly realized that all a resolution is, is a commitment to approach each moment as an opportunity to implement your goals, reach for your hopes and follow the path that you dream about.

What I learned from implementing this resolution is that you can't always act on a thought when you have it. However, after embodying this resolution as a new mindset I found it had a deeper impact in ways I'd never expected.  I began to make a lists of activities, now seemingly exponential, that  I wanted to do.  I became more organized around doing, saying and trying activities that brought me joy. From writing, to sewing, to crafting, to sharing on social media, to hiking by myself, to taking more photographs, to spending time reading, or being active with my family and so much more.

What I realize now that I didn't realize a year ago is that so much of my time was spent holding back, waiting for the right time, that I missed out on little joys that surrounded me.  From ferns growing out of a brick wall, to what a frost heave looks like up close, to the way sunlight cast shadows on my husbands back as we ride bikes and so much more.

Now I am far from perfect in implementing this resolution.  I definitely still hesitate, but what I have gained is the perspective to challenge that hesitation.  I'm excited to continue to hone my skills with this resolution and live life boldly present.  I hope perhaps that this will help you do the same. #livelifeboldlypresent

For those of you who know me it comes as no surprise that I like to explore the past. It's trinkets and treasures carry memories and lessons that have the power to enlighten and inspire us. Perhaps it's a bit of nostalgia combined with a bit of curiosity that pushes me to ask questions of how we can learn from the past to make our future better.

To that end I have found that by exploring our histories in trinkets and treasures, whether it's the kind you find displayed in museums, sold in antique shops and thrift stores or the items we've discovered and display in hour homes, each piece carries a story and within that story a lesson.

On a recent antique outing I came across what at first seemed to be a funny little book.   Displayed on a book-stand, this grey and weathered book was originally published in 1913, over 100 years ago.  Just realizing the age of the book made me think of what had happened since its first printing. Two world wars, the expansion of the electrical grid, the wide adoption of the car, the invention of the computer, the passage of a woman's right to vote, the civil rights movement and so much more. 

In a mere thirty seconds this simple book left me awestruck at what has been accomplished in 100 years and how much more we have yet to accomplish.  I was both appreciative and inspired by this books simple message.  A collection of friendly thoughts compiled to give to someone you love or care about. 

Today a book like this may not be successful if printed but its simple and caring messages reminded me of how powerful kindness and empathy can be.  How empathy has pushed humans to find resolutions to challenging problems throughout time.  The books basic guiding principle of kindness offers wisdom to anyone who is willing to pause and listen.  To slow down and acknowledge that what is most important in life is the connection we have with others and more importantly that the pertinence of that connection lies in our ability to empathize and see the world through the eyes of another. 

All of this from a simple book printed over 100 years ago.  There's no knowing what we'll find if we open our eyes and welcome the unexpected. I will likely never forget this book, and though I regret not purchasing it, I am thankful that it touched my life and reminded me, and maybe now you, that kindness and empathy will carry the world to a better place.

Its our roots that hold us together.  Keep us steady when we struggle with change.  And lets be honest change is constant.  No one day is the same. 

This thought came to me while looking at a set of roots that were holding the earth in place. It was a natural berm.  It struck me that without that trees presence the dirt and rock would wash away in a storm.   That moment reminded me that it is our roots, our experiences, that keep us grounded and help us stay together as we face each and every day.  While these experiences and their lessons occasionally get challenged, we evolve rooting ourselves to the truth that we know.

Just like a trees roots are resilient our roots are resilient too.  When our lives are challenged by change, no matter how small, we find a way to settle back down and hopefully incorporate what we have learned.  Laying new roots in familiar places that are different but the same.  Our perspectives change and we become wiser and more complex with time. 

I'm glad I stumbled upon this life lesson.  It was a good day to realize it.  The symbolism reminding that no matter how life shifts around us if we remain rooted and resilient we can learn from every storm and every sunny day.