posted by Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy
First of all: HAPPY NEW YEAR'S EVE!!!
It's that time of year again, and just WHERE did the past year go?!?! In fact we're almost into a brand new DECADE!
ACK!!!
Anyway, it's the time of year when most of us look back at the months gone by and reflect on what we did and didn't do. Then, reorganize and set ourselves some new goals for the coming year.
In the past, I've found it far too easy to concentrate on the negative aspects of the previous year. Things I didn't accomplish, opportunities I missed, goals that were beyond my control to achieve... So this year, I've made a vow to focus on the POSITIVE things that happened in 2009. As for my goals, I'm going to concentrate on things I can actually accomplish.
Right at the top of that list will be: Stop worrying about things over which I have no control! Accomplishing that one will be a challenge, but I know with the help of the CasaBabes and our readers and their (AHEM!) gentle reminders, I can do it!
So what were some of my POSITIVE things that happened in 2009? Here are a few off the top of my head:
First of all: HAPPY NEW YEAR'S EVE!!!
It's that time of year again, and just WHERE did the past year go?!?! In fact we're almost into a brand new DECADE!
ACK!!!
Anyway, it's the time of year when most of us look back at the months gone by and reflect on what we did and didn't do. Then, reorganize and set ourselves some new goals for the coming year.
In the past, I've found it far too easy to concentrate on the negative aspects of the previous year. Things I didn't accomplish, opportunities I missed, goals that were beyond my control to achieve... So this year, I've made a vow to focus on the POSITIVE things that happened in 2009. As for my goals, I'm going to concentrate on things I can actually accomplish.
Right at the top of that list will be: Stop worrying about things over which I have no control! Accomplishing that one will be a challenge, but I know with the help of the CasaBabes and our readers and their (AHEM!) gentle reminders, I can do it!
So what were some of my POSITIVE things that happened in 2009? Here are a few off the top of my head:
- I participated in my first-ever booksigning on Feb. 14th
- The Wild Sight won first place in the Best First Book category in the More Than Magic contest, and was named a Debut Title that Rocks by Romance Junkies
- I finished writing my third romantic suspense for Casablanca, and the FIRST I'd written completely under contract -- Oh, and I met all my deadlines too!
- I became a multi-published author when The Treasures of Venice was released in late August!
- I want to live a more healthy lifestyle in terms of eating and exercising
- Continue to grow as a writer and refine my writing process
- Interact more and continue to "give back" to my readers and other writers
- Oh yeah, and STOP worrying about those pesky things I can't control!
Sounds like you've had a wonderful year. May 2010 be at least twice as nice to you.
ReplyDeleteAs for celebrating tonight, we do but it's family-style just clean fun of watching movies and shooting fireworks.
Have a safe and Happy New Year. May all your books be in before deadline, may all the contracts be for more than you imaged, and may be sell tons and tons of books.
Aside from personal goals like eating healthier and getting more exercise and taking care of my girls, I really want to get more exposure for my writing this year. As in, I want to get an agent and see more of my work in print. And yes, get these ideas out of my head and onto paper! I want to do more writing this year.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Aunty Cindy!
Margay
All of the above and then some, AC! Here's hoping for a great year to come for us and all the rest of the world!
ReplyDeleteI too had to learn the lesson of not fretting about things over which I had no control.
ReplyDeleteThe good news is that the can't-control list is so much longer than the can-control list that not-worrying actually freed up a lot of time for writing. :-)
Happy New Year!
Hi AC! I have learned that what you surround yourself with, is your life. So if you surround yourself with positive outlets, positive people, and postitive thoughts...that will become your life. So, if I ever find myself dwelling on the negative, I turn it off, and focus on something positive. If there's a person who doesn't make me feel good to be around, I don't socialize. If there's sites known for their negativity, I don't go to them. If my energy is not spent in a way that makes me feel good, I find something else that does.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to do sometimes, but I'm getting the knack of it. And it has made such a difference.
And the Casa Babes have become such a positive in my life. Thanks to you all!
What's this? Auntie Cindy being introspective with goals and reflections?! Wow! LOL!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I am not much on resolutions per se, but I do beleive in counting one's blessings and looking at the brighter side of life.
I am totally with you on letting go of what I can't control! Not sure I can accomplish that. It is written into my DNA and has had 40+ years to dig in even further. I'll keep trying though. *grumble
2009 has been a great year for me, even with the "issues" that arise. Some sadness, such as losing my mom, but the joys do outweigh. I guess I am just hoping it continues on in like manner, for the most part!
Happy New Year to everyone. And a special thanks for hanging out with the Casababes!
THANX BUNCHES for the good wished, Mason!
ReplyDeleteA nice family-style celebration sounds great. The city will set off some fireworks here tonight, but I have a feeling it will be too foggy to see much of anything. :-P Oh well, I'll probably be asleep before midnight anyway.
AC
Happy New Year to you too, Margay!
ReplyDeleteThank you again for all your support this past year! Here's hoping we both have great success with getting those ideas out of our heads and into stories for our readers!
AC
ABSOLUTELY, Cheryl!
ReplyDeleteAll the BEST for EVERYONE in 2010!!
AC
It has been my pleasure! You post some really interesting things, so it's been a fun ride getting to know you better.
ReplyDeleteMargay
LOL, MM!
ReplyDeleteHow right you are about that "can't control" list. It is huge, so once you forget about it, you have so much more time and energy to focus on the much shorter "can control" list! My own writing is at the very top of the "can control" list and I'm going to concentrate most heavily with it!
HAPPY HAPPY 2010!
AC
Kathryne,
ReplyDeleteYou've been a wonderful positive influence here too! And you are so right about not making room for negative in your life. Time really is too valuable to allow that!
If I start to slip up, I know I can count on you and the other CasaBabes to give me a positive nudge! ;-) I'll definitely do the same for you!
AC
Yes, Sharon, even yer cynical ole Aunty can get maudlin once in awhile! 'Tis the season. LOL!
ReplyDeleteI hear ya on the control gene. I have that lil smear in my DNA, right next to that tiny smudge of perfectionism, that luckily rarely manifests outside my writing! :-P
You will be starting the New Year off with a BANG with your launch party of My Dearest Mr. Darcy! Definitely enough joy to overshadow the sad times, and I KNOW we'll have plenty of fun times in the coming year here.
AC
Thanx again, Margay!
ReplyDeleteOur regular readers like YOU, and even our non-commenting lurkers make blogging worthwhile for us CasaBabes! We can't thank our readers enough!
AC
You should pat yourself on the back, Cindy, for all that you've done and all that you plan to do. :)
ReplyDeleteRather than New Years Goals, I set daily goals, weekly goals, monthly goals...etc...have to in order to get everything done. :) And mine is: Finish Wolf Fever!!!
Cindy, what a timely post!
ReplyDeleteAside from balancing school and life a bit better, I hope to be more regular about my newsletter. It went by the wayside this year, and I'd like to get it up and running in 2010.
And keep the momentum I've gained during the holidays.
Hey Terry,
ReplyDeleteThose daily, weekly, monthly goals work very well for you. I am AMAZED at how much you accomplish! YOU DA (WO)MAN! And I know you'll finish Wolf Fever before your deadline.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
AC
Thanx for popping by Nancy and New Year's HUGS to my Bandita!
ReplyDeleteYou are another one who is AWESOME about being organized and getting lots accomplished! Keep up the great work, and may you achieve ALL your dreams in 2010!
AC
My goals are simple this year, write, revise, and submit. If I land an agent, and even better a publishing contract, then wonderful, but I'm not going to make those my goal.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Loucinda. I look forward to many, many more books from you and all the Casababes.
I like the top of your list. Think I'll put it on mine if I ever get round to a list.
ReplyDeleteLate to the party sorry I have had a rough couple of days
ReplyDeleteMy resolutions are to get healthier stop stessing about my job what will be will be and read more (try to get the TBR under control) and most of all have fun with my family
Happy New Year everyone
Have Fun
Helen
All of the above, AC! May 2010 be a year full of love and peace for all of us!
ReplyDelete