I wish you a year filled with peace, happiness and joy. We rang in 2008 with good food, good friends and lots of fun. (dancing to "She's A Brick House", "YMCA", and the like - I'm a bit sore this morning - LOL) 2007 was a year full of challenges however I know for a fact that when God closes one door, he opens a window. We've survived the challenges and come out of it with wonderful friends. Friends to cherish and enjoy!I've spent the past week reflecting about 2007 and mentally making plans for 2008. I made a long mental list of everything I want to accomplish in 2008 and was feeling very proud of myself. And, then yesterday I read an e-mail from the spouse of a client/friend informing me that my client/friend passed away peacefully in her sleep the day after Christmas. Stunned and shocked are words to express how I felt. After I shook off the feelings of being stunned and shocked I spent time with my thoughts. I thought about that same ole cliche about life being too short, etc. So, I've made one and only one resolution for 2008 to seek joy to fill every day. I wear my heart on my sleeve, as so many of you know, so seeking joy to fill every day is going to be a challenge for me. I'm going to try very hard not to let the "quiltzillas" and "nay sayers" of the world disrupt my life. Can I do this? I don't know but I'm going to try.
In seeking joy to fill every day I'm going to attempt to stop fretting about how many quilts I own, how many flimsies need to be quilted, how many projects I have started or want to start or how much fabric I own. In the grand scheme of things it just doesn't matter as long as my world is filled with joy. :-)
Sometime in 2007 I was chastised for blogging and I have thought long and hard about discontinuing my blog. I've asked myself if discontinuing my blog would make me happy - the answer is NO! I'd miss so much about my blogging - the friends I've made all over the world; the sharing; the inspiration; the laughter I've shared with so many; the tears I've shed for and with some of you - enough said!
Thank you so much for being my "International Friendship and Quilting Guild".
Happy New Year, In Friendship!
27 comments:
Oh Darlene, one thing I have learned over the years is that I no longer really care too much what others say or think about what I choose to do. I still try to do that everyday. Practice saying "oh really? Well I do things to please myself, not other people!" The only thing I really fret about still is a need for inner perfection.
You are a wonderful person! Don't let anyone ever take that from you, or make you feel bad for doing what you can afford, love to do, still CAN do and enjoy! Poo on them!
You'd better not stop blogging, or you will find about a bazillion international quilter/bloggers on your doorstep demanding answers!!
Joy for you for the new year!!
(Hugs)
The most joy for you my friend, each and every day. I have been contemplating 2007 and looking toward 2008 here the past couple of days and your post today made everything I'd been thinking gel. You are the best and please don't ever not blog because someone else thinks you shouldn't...do what brings you joy...you certainly bring joy to all of us. Happy 2008!
Darlene, seeking joy this year will NOT be a problem for you.... because you give joy so willingly and so unselfishly. Joy will surely fill each and every day for you. My prayer for you my friend is a double portion of Joy to fill your every day. Happy 2008.
Happy New Year Darlene!
Your goals for 2008 sound perfect...you can do it!
I am also hurting today from too much dancing last night!
I agree with Kathy....your goals for 2008 sound absolutely perfect!
May yours be a New Year filled to the brim with joy!
I so happy you've decided to continue blogging. I think we all have had bad comments on our blogs. Don't let these stupide jealous commenters distroy our joy about blogging or our passion for our hobby. We are having this wonderful blogging friendship and I hope we still will have.
Happy new sewingyear!!!
Happy New Year! I am so glad you will put aside what others say to you negatively and hope you realize it is ignorance or jealousy that feeds their opinions. A true friend would say "Whatever makes you happy Darlene, as long you are hurting no one, is what you should continue to do!" That means 100 more quilts for you to own and another post per day to blog!!!! ((((hugs))))
I am so happy that you're continuing to Blog. I read your Blog everytime you update and I'd honestly be lost without you. You provide so much inspiration for me and a lot of other people.
Happy New Year to YOU and may 2008 bring only good things for you and your family.
Darlene, I am SO happy that you are not stopping blogging!!! The comments others have made pretty much say it all. Those persons who offer criticism and advice don't deserve validation. Ignore them and they'll move on. Just keep on keepin' on! I can't wait to see what 2008 brings! So glad we're friends!
Absolutely the most wonderful, perfect resolution you could possibly make. I've been thinking about this lately, since Porch Rocker told us about her son's diagnosis of stage 4 GLB brain tumor at age 38. My sister died of GLB after a short 3 month battle 13 years ago now. One just never, ever knows. There is always someone else who is right there ready to rain on our parade. I really think it's probably from envy - they many not even realize it. They are so envyous of the happiness you've found that they haven't, so they are determined to do what they can to take away that happiness. How very sad for them. You enrich so many lives daily, including mine. Continue to be what you are - it's why we all love you - and live by your perfect resolution every day.
Dearest dearest Darlene. Your words are perfect. Life really is too short for all the nonsense the energy vampires try to drag us into. All we have is this very moment, here, today.
Thank you for bringing joy to my heart each and every day.
Tell the "Quiltzillas' to GET A LIFE! Then ought to be banished with the Quilt Police! And if they dont' 'get' blogging, they are the ones that miss out. :::raspberry on them::::
THANK YOU so much for being YOU, my friend !
I do hope bringing some smiles and joys to your life in 2008, at least as much as your friendship is a joy to mine...
You already start this new year with a wonderful, inspiring resolution !
(((HUGS))) & smiles, my friend !
NADINE
I'll have to ditto everything everyone has said Darlene. Happy New Year to you my friend....you brings lots of joy to my world. :)
Congrats on winning Jeanne's drawing....couldn't happen to a finer lady!
I'm glad that you are not giving up your blog. A lot of people find it easier to criticize rather than do things. You are a doer and we need more people like you! Happy 2008 - I hope that it is filled with joy, love and laughter!
Happy New Year! Oh I'm so glad you didn't stop blogging. I would have missed you so!
Hsppy New Year Darlene. I hope 2008 is good to you!
'08 is going to be great *s* I have finally figured out that I have to do what pleases me (and my family) and not worry about others - they don't live or run my life. Sure has cut down the stress! Happy New Year, friend!
Darlene - I bet in seeking to find joy each day you will also be bringing joy to others. It is wonderful to be around people who are joy seekers.
Sorry to hear about your friend passing.
Your goals for 2008 are very achievable. I'm so glad you will keep blogging in your life...I wouldn't have met such a wonderful person if you hadn't started. I always look forward to reading your blog.
Darlene, I'm sorry about the loss of your friend. You are right life is too short and dont let all those nasty women get you down. They are not worth it. Trust me!!! I too have thought about not blogging but I like you love it and would miss it.
I wish you a very happy 2008 my friend!!!
Oh and by the way you can NEVER have to many quilts.
I am truly sorry to read about your friend/client. I read you about wearing your heart on your sleeve. I am glad to read that you will continue blogging. What I like about blogging is that I can catch up with friends when I want too! I love reading what you are up too! Happy New Year Darlene!
Please don't stop now-I've just"discovered you!!!"I LOVE your New Years resoultion. Happy New Year to you!
What a beautiful post, Darlene. My thoughts have been much like yours - what do I really want to accomplish this year? I have decided, just like you, to find joy in every day. That in itself is a great accomplishment, I'm thinkin'. Don't let anyone rain on your parade, my friend!
I am so glad you are not leaving the blogging world - I would miss your posts so very much, and, more importantly, I would miss your friendship.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Darlene - One of my personal goals for 2008 is to put myself and family first and not worry about what others think. I'm like you and tend to wear my heart on my sleeve and end of fretting about things that in the scheme of the big picture just don't matter. Happiness for myself and family is all I will put on my plate for now on. So please yourself and your loved ones and you will always find your joy everyday.
Happy Joyful New Year - Karen
Hope your New Year is wonderful! I am always lusting after your projects. Keep it up Darlene! Also--Thanks for singing to me!
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