1. What do you want to acknowledge yourself for in regard to 2009?
(What did you create? What challenges did you face with courage and strength? What promises did you keep to yourself? What brave choices did you make? What are you proud of?)

As far as the resolution to query three magazines per month, I am proud of doing my best to keep my resolution. I held on to it tight all year. I made new connections and planted many seeds in order to get more magazine jobs. I learned that I need to focus more on it and work hard to make it happen--and that the writing isn't hard but making time is. I learned that it's okay not to go head-on because I've had a lot on my shoulders and am not sitting around querying all day because I have a thriving copywriting business--and I'm very proud of it.

There were of course tons of personal things going on that I was challenged by and achieved.

2. What is there to grieve about 2009?
(What was disappointing? What was scary? What was hard? What can you forgive yourself for?)

I'm focusing on my resolution solely here (because there was tons to grieve this past year, especially the passing of my beautiful Bobbie girl). But I am sad that I didn't ink a contract for magazine work but I understand why and I am ready to move forward. And that's a plus because I came farther than I thought I would. I thought I'd crumble if I didn't achieve this big goal and thought I should be "here" and I'm not where I thought I should be, but I learned to LET GO. Huge!!!

3. What else do you need to say about the year to declare it complete?

Okay, the next step is to say out loud, "I declare 2009 complete!" How do you feel? If you don't feel quite right, there might be one more thing to say...

The final step is to consider your primary focus for the year to come. What is your primary intention or theme for 2009? Is it the year of joy? the year of self-care? the year of partnership? Stand up and say it proud, "2009 is my year of...."

2009 is my year of letting go of my high expectations for myself. I am not where I wanted to be but I'm tired of "shoulding" all over myself. I am where I am, and things will happen in God's time, not mine.

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