life is what you make itOne of my favorite things to do is to browse through local thrift stores looking for curiosities. It is such a joy to find something precious and special that I can bring back to life, make useful again and enjoy.

Having recently moved, you can imagine that I have been thoroughly enjoying this activity, seeking out great things to decorate my new home. Today, I came across a white cloth. I wasn’t quite sure if it was a table cloth or a sheet for a bed, so I asked the lady standing next to me what she thought it was. She replied, “It is what you make of it, just like life.”

She went on to explain how she had raised three kids on her own and had become very creative in the process. Often she bought clothes for the kids that had a stain which she hid by sewing on a little decorative bunny or bumble bee. Her kids loved those pieces of clothing the most. I ended up not buying the cloth, but I left the store feeling richer for the heartfelt connection with this resourceful lady. Her words of wisdom resonate deeply with me.  Sometimes we can get bogged down by circumstances and forget that life is what you make it!

As this year comes to a close, set aside some quality time to reflect on your own life.

  • What have you created throughout this year?
  • What were your wins?
  • What have you learned?
Write down your thoughts.Looking ahead, what do you want to create in the New Year?
  • What do you need to let go of to stride forward?
  • What do you want to take with you as you stride forward?
  • How will it serve you in 2010?
Write down your thoughts.Put your notes in a special place where you can revisit them throughout the coming year to help you reconnect with the power of your creativity and resourcefulness. I welcome you to share the insights you gain from this practice with other readers.