woman in moroccan leaning on column
 

Happy New Year, friends!  You may have noticed that Kelsey, Millie and Emily have taken over the blog and have been doing a very good job bringing you ideas, inspiration, design news and other fun things we discover along the way.  Thanks, ladies.  You're the best.  

But sometimes, I just miss sharing with you.  So this is Laurie, sitting in my family room with a fire roaring and a cup of tea brewing, pondering resolutions on this New Year's Eve.

I love resolutions.  I always have.  The thought of having a fresh start on January first is an inspiration to me.  I can do anything I want, be anything I want, feel any way I want, as long as I set my intention, and follow through.  Resolutions put everything I desire within my circle of control.  These last few years, as I've entered the second half century of my life, I have felt a particular urgency to make every year count.  I really want to be like Helen Mirren in the image above, looking and feeling foxy, with a twinkle in my eye, at peace with where my life has led me.  And I am to some extent.  But is time running short?

This year, instead of making a list of things I'd like to start or stop doing, I have decided to adopt a word for the year to guide my thoughts, actions, and intentions.  I like the idea that my resolutions are not limited to a few things on a list.  And I like the idea of a beacon to guide me throughout the year.  

This time last year, I was in Australia with my family.  And having thrown my back out on the plane, stumbled and lumbered through all our tourist activities hunched over in pain, sitting out some super fun things, and generally missing out and feeling old.  I never really recovered from that injury until my sister and I indulged ourselves in a week long wellness retreat in Ko Samui, Thailand mid-year. The retreat reminded us both that our health is our most valuable asset.   The stark contrast of the first half of the year and the second half was so dramatic, I have decided that "Health" will be the word of the year.  

But it's not just physical health I am interested in.   In addition to a healthy body, I want a healthy mind, healthy habits, healthy relationships, healthy business, healthy communication, healthy home.  With the word "Health" to guide me, I hope to be writing you one year from today, detailing many successes in my pursuit.  Maybe I'll give up bedtime Netflix in favor of my reading list in pursuit of healthy habits.   Maybe I will call my Mom more often and text her less in pursuit of healthy communication.   Maybe I'll meditate each morning for a few minutes in pursuit of a healthy mind.  Maybe I'll kiss my husband more, cook at home more, buy flowers for the kitchen table each week.  Who knows?  

I am anxious to wake up tomorrow morning, begin my pursuit of "Health" and see where it leads me.  

Sending you peace and happiness this last day of 2016, and hope and inspiration for 2017.  

Laurie Furber
Tagged: inspiration