This Is The New Year

Happy New Year. I hope that however you chose to ring in the new year was fun and that you were surrounded by friends, family or loved ones.

I started my new year by staying in bed as long as possible. I think it was 10:45 when I finally got up to make coffee and breakfast.

Blueberry buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup,  a Morningstar “sausage” patty and orange slices.

And then I baked cookies…because baking cookies after eating pancakes (on New Year’s Day) is completely logical. 😉 Peanut butter cookies with white chocolate chips. They are slightly salty and delicious.

Sullie got a loooonnnngggg overdue bath this afternoon. I can’t help but to take pictures of her after bath time. She ran around the house like a wild child, dive bombing her face into the floor and then got in bed to sulk. Too cute.

After the second day in a row of staying in my PJs until 3:30, I got myself in the shower and to a yoga class. I hadn’t practiced in two weeks and it just seemed like the right way to start the new year.

I went to Suzanne’s class at Charlotte Yoga and I must share with you the reading from today. I am still in the process of figuring out what my goals and intentions are for 2012 but these words certainly gave me a jumping off point. This is from Debbie Ford’s New Year’s Ritual.

The Vow

~ My life is worth a billion blessings to all those I meet on my journey.
~ I am the heaven and all that exists in the sky above.
~ I am the vastness of my greatest thought and the infinite power that sources and sustains the entire universe.
~ On this day, I will remember who I am, what I am here for and why I choose the experiences that have come into my path this past year.
~ Today, I promise to leave the smallness of my darkest thoughts and melt with open arms into the never-ending, all-powerful love of my highest self.
~ Today, I surrender into the open arms of 2012, allowing each day of the upcoming year to surprise, comfort and nourish my soul’s deepest desires.
~ I vow to return the spark of the divine and use my power to light up the world.
~ This year, I will give to others what I want back for myself.
~ If I want love, I will find ways to love each and every person I come across.
~ If I want peace, I will think peaceful thoughts, say peaceful words and pray for peace for all those who are living in chaos, including myself.
~ If I want success, I will work diligently to help those around me succeed. I will stay focused, do my absolute best and seek excellence in everything I do.
~ If I want respect, I will begin by respecting life and all that comes with it. I will respect those around me and those who work hard to make this planet a better place. I will respect the earth, my body, my past and the gifts that I hold and I will surrender judgement for reverence.

In 2012, I trust that what I give the world will be given back to me.  

Make 2012 count.