A decade ago I was performing in front of the largest audience of my career.
Forty thousand people at an outdoor concert and I was the headline act. Not bad, eh?
It was pretty exciting and yes, it was the best New Year’s Eve I’ve ever had so far. I don’t expect to top it in terms of glamour and self-importance.
What I didn’t know was that it was also the beginning of a whole new era for me. Not of more big concerts, navel-gazing and VIP hotel suites – in fact it was the last of those – but rather one that involved a grown-up look at life:
Marriage, babies, sensible career. (Not necessarily in that order and not always at the same time.)
Much like pop-stardom, none of these has turned out quite like I expected it to:
The marriage, whilst in general a positive thing, has been at times hard work, even though Husband is a very nice man. I think I’m a very nice woman but still, it’s not always easy.
The babies are completely delightful, delicious and scrumptious. They’re also rather hard work and, dammit, they’re not actually babies anymore.
Do I get any money back for that? They appear to have GROWN without permission.
The sensible career was shocking at first, then turned out rather well. Then the babies got in the way. Now I can’t seem to find it anymore.
Still.
I have resolved (once I have finished overeating for the season, sometime after lunch tomorrow) to make 2010 and the decade it heralds the beginning of a whole new era for me.
Not of more marriages, babies and sensible careers, but rather one that involves a whimsical and lighthearted look at life.
I hereby resolve to:
Respond with laughter to as many situations as I possibly can, no matter how grim
Bake more cakes (and try not to eat them all)
Dance a lot
Spend more time with people I really like
Spend less time with people who make me anxious or drained
Go to places that make me feel adventurous
Ask for help when I need it
Hug my children a lot
Know that I deserve to be loved
Accept nothing less than love
Give nothing less than love
Happy New Year!
{ 15 comments }
What a lovely outlook – here’s to a fantastic next decade with lots of love and dancing. xx
Hear, hear! Hope 2010 brings you all you wish for
xx
Oh how true. Marriage is bloody hard work and not the stuff of romance novels or British comedy movies. I think the very fact that you recognise that means you’re doing a fine job!
Funny how life changes over the space of 10 years. 10 years ago I wasn’t married and didn’t have children and was living it up in Andorra on a skiing holiday. This year? Downing Moscow Mules with hubby and the inlaws at home with Jules Holland on the TV – just as much fun though funnily enough!
A fabulous set of resolutions: except maybe the not eating all the cakes one, who exactly are you kidding …!
Happy 2010 to you x
Great set of resolutions, hope all of them come through for you. Life is hard, but if you set out to enjoy each day then you will find happiness and enjoyment x
What a fab set of resolutions!!
Ah yes, resolutions… am still wondering whether it is worth making any. Might post something about that now.
If it’s any consolation, yours above sound a little like the ones I made when turning 40, the gist of which was “Tell it as it is, no beating round the bush”. I felt as if the ‘new age’ (analogy with ‘new decade’ I guess) freed me from pretending when I did not want to, and permitted me – within reason, of course, although judging by some old, and now deleted, posts about working life you may not concur – to call the kettle black, not just monochrome. That went for showing love and affection as well, and it has bode me well.
I hope you have a fabulous 2010.
Hugs
LCM x
Very Happy New Year to you and your lovely family!! Loved your set of resolutions! As you’re planning not to eat all the cakes you bake, could you send some my way?! 😉
I find your writing so moving. It’s never what I expect (compliment).
I hope 2010 brings you all you’ve resolved and more. You know, it’s okay to eat an entire cake, as long as you don’t do it more than a few times a week. xoxo
Wonderful resolutions. And kudos to your for your sucess in that first career. I didn’t realize you were so sucessful. That must have taken a lot of effort and energy. I love live music, and really appreciate the perfectionism that goes into it.
Fantastic resolutions, that I’m going to steal!!
Happy new year x
Great resolutions. I especially agree with spending less time with people who make you feel anxious. Life is too short.
My husband bought me a book on baking as a Christmas present, saying it was ‘to encourage my new interests’. So I might have to be doing more baking too!
A lovely friend gave me the Hummingbird Bakery cookbook for Christmas, and I have to recommend it for your cake-making resolution.
Happy New Year x
Thanks for lovely comments, everyone. I hope to stick to these fairly well. If I am doing any cake baking in your neck of the woods, PLEASE STEP FORWARD to help me eat them. I hope to meet more bloggy friends this year. xoxo
What a fantastic set of resolutions, one year I decided to stop seeing the people who drained me of energy and I felt so much happier. It is amazing how some people can really affect your mood. Surround yourself with those who make you laugh or feel good and life just feels better. Have a wonderful 2010 x
I love your set of resolutions.
And whimsical and light-hearted is always good.
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