Here I am, up way late two days into the new year, doing what I want for the first time, really (without the guilt) this holiday break. And I have now decided on my special focus word for the year, my inspiration for action, my BE word for 2009: THANKFULNESS.

Performer, songwriter, and creativity consultant Christine Kane explains the difference between the ordinary New Year’s Resolution and this new approach best, probably because it’s her brilliant idea in the first place:

“The reason most resolutions don’t work is that they address only one level of your life: the DO level.

It’s the DO-HAVE-BE model. It goes like this:

‘I will DO this thing’ (e.g. lose weight), ‘so I can HAVE this other thing’ (e.g. self-esteem), and I can BE this thing’ (e.g. confident).

The average New Year’s Resolution doesn’t address the core of the issue: the BE level.

The best order for creating positive change in your life is the BE-DO-HAVE model. This means you start from the BE level. When you begin changing on the BE level of your life, then the DO level and the HAVE level follow more easily.

When you start only on the DO level, then the blocks on the BE level will often become the obstacles you can’t overcome.”

So what do I need to BE? THANKFUL! The rest will naturally take care of itself.

See, this past year, I have sunk into the pits of complaint more times than I’m comfortable recounting.

My husband may have a better estimate on that than I. Usually so much more kind and supportive, he has broken down and insisted that I stop complaining more than once. Oh, and anyone who’s requested and received materials from this here site can attest to it, too! Excuses, excuses.

‘But there has just been sooo much to complain about,’ my Self-Pity side harrumphs, arms crossed and mouth a-pout. And even my Always-Half-Full side can’t argue with that, after all.

Well, there has been a lot to complain about: two times we’ve moved our four-bedroom houseful of stuff this year, once because we really wanted to and once because we had no other choice. The latter is stressful in itself, involving wishy-washy landlords we can’t trust who will probably never return our $650 deposit.

I’ve gone from teaching in an environment with little consistent administrative support and few resources to a much less stressful environment with a much more stressful more than double the workload (i.e. from about 50 students to about 115 students).

I’ve been stressed out and pretty all-around miserable for months. And it’s just plain stupid, really, when I stop to consider all that I have to be thankful for. We are so fortunate. We are blessed. And I’m stuck in pity-party mode. Argghh.

So no more. I’m going to make THANKFULNESS-related signs and put them everywhere. I’m going to search for THANKFULNESS quotes and put them everywhere. I’m going to find ways to recount all of the multitude of things for which I have to be THANKFUL.

Let me start now!!

• I’m thankful for my Kevin, my good-looking husband, best friend and confidant, my biggest fan who doesn’t think I’m most beautiful but knows it. Hard-working, trustworthy, and chivalrous, he is the epitome of honor and strength.
• I’m thankful for my boys: Ryan, the smart, silly, resourceful teenager I’m missing terribly right now, the one who knows my buttons and their pushing order best; Lucas, my handsome four-year-old who thinks he doesn’t need a nap until he’s passed out and doesn’t want to wake up and already has that “Mom” look; and Atticus, my sweet little tender-hearted, Spongebob-addicted baby-turned-toddler who always says, “Cheese!” with his beautiful two-year-old smile on.
• I’m thankful for the job security Kevin, a correctional officer, and I, a teacher, both have in this age of economic uncertainty.
• I’m thankful for the beautiful house that providentially fell into our plans when we felt forced to look elsewhere for a secure home for our family.
• I’m thankful that I’ve been able to be in contact with so many teachers around the world through this site.
• I’m thankful that my favorite car ever (Mazda MPV!!) is still under warranty, since the rear fan motor busted recently.

THANKFULNESS. It’s going to be a year of great things!!

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