On this the first day of the New Year many are waking up with a keen determination to stick to New Year's resolutions.
Some choose one lofty goal, others take on the world with a lengthy list of drastic lifestyle changes they truly believe will create inner happiness.
New Year Resolutions
I like the idea of commitment to personal goals, a time of reformation in anticipation of new beginnings. The issue I see is too much focus on problems. Committing to a whole year of trying to attain the impossible, usually turns out to be just that, impossible.
And so this year I am making no promises.
I don't plan to berate myself for the extra ten or twenty pounds I probably should try to shed. I will not feel guilty for my poor house keeping skills. Instead I will enjoy playing with my children, content my house will probably never be tidy again - well at least until my foursome leave for college.
I could make a resolution to be more resolute in my blogging efforts, but again I know I would only disappoint myself and you.
So please, forgive me when you visit, and I have failed to add a new post. I'll do my best to ramble away and cook up a good old Irish American feast this year, but I'll make no promises about daily postings.
Dance As If No One is Watching
And so instead of setting myself up for failure this year, I am going to focus on one of my favorite old Irish sayings throughout the year.
I have a perfect collection of New Year sayings from Ireland which I hope you'll enjoy.
In the New Year I hope you will join me, and....
Dance as if no one is watching.
Sing as if no one is listening.
And live every day as if it were your last.
You can learn how to say 'Happy New Year in Irish' here.
Wishing you all a wonderful year of happiness, peace and prosperity.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Mairéad -Irish American Mom
Pronunciation - slawn ah-gus ban-ock-th
Mairéad - rhymes with parade
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Kay G.
Dear Maread,
We think so much alike, check out the tap dancing on my blog for today! Such JOY!
Happy New year!
And I got my IRISH calendar in the mail, I love it!! Thank you!!!
Love,
KAY
Irish American Mom
Kay - Amazing how we both think so alike and posted about dancing for the New Year. Hope you have a wonderful 2013, full of happiness, peace and every success you have ever dreamed of.
All the best,
Mairead
Grammy
Oh, I love the way you think! My resolution was to NOT make any resolutions this year....:) Happy New Year to you and your brood!
Irish American Mom
Grammy - glad to hear I am not the only one avoiding the pitfalls of restrictive resolutions. Here's to a great 2013, when I hope all our dreams come true. Best wishes to you and yours!
Mairead
brian@irelandfavorites
Hi Mairead, I think you have little to worry about in the blog writing department, And singing like no one is listening is easy, just know the words. Resolutions in general start with a first step, many times a scary first step. So hers to a new year of being scared in a good way.
Cheers and Happy New year,
brian.
Irish American Mom
Brian - So true - change comes by taking many little steps, and before you know it you have traveled a long journey. The key is to take that first step. As for singing as if no one is listening, I'll have to keep my fingers crossed no one is listening, because it is highly unlikely I will learn to sing in tune in 2013, no matter how hard I try. But I will sing nonetheless, even if only to myself.
Happy New Year to you and yours.
Mairead
Cheryl Barker
Love that saying you closed with. Just live and enjoy, right? Many blessings to you this year, Mairead!
Irish American Mom
Cheryl - May you have a year full of blessings too. Best wishes for 2013.
Mairead
frank foley
Hi. Look up a Guy Clark song called 'Come from the heart'...sung by himself or Kathy Mattea and the chorus echoes your words of wisdom.
Irish American Mom
Frank - I found Guy Clark's song on YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yv1d160YJUI
What a great song - I love the lyrics and its simple message. Thanks for letting me know about it. Best wishes for 2013.
Mairead
Carol K.
Mairead...
My 13 year old niece, Erin, has been taking Irish dance for years....she's a pro and loves it! Our mother loved to dance and I think she's passed her talents to Erin. Erin's performing in a local restaurant with her dance group and in the local St. Patrick's Day parade. You are so right....dancing is wonderful for all ages.
Irish American Mom
Carol - My little girl who is six started Irish dance lessons this year. She too loves it, just like your niece Erin. My Irish dancer will be walking in the Louisville St. Patrick's Day parade tomorrow. She is so excited. Her school will be performing at Molly Malone's Irish Pub afterwards. What a wonderful way to display Irish culture and heritage. Wishing your niece a wonderful day of dancing as she celebrates St. Patrick's Day. Thanks so much for stopping by.
Best wishes,
Mairéad