Sunrise

One of the first things I noticed as I got up this morning. A beautiful morning, a new day, a fresh start.

In many ways and for many people the New Year is a fresh start. People take up New Years resolutions, but most fail to keep them for a whole year. Life just goes on as it did before.

I want to take the opportunity this new year to slow down and appreciate things more, to enjoy each moment in my day and to be grateful for what I have. I don't want to look back and see everywhere I've failed. Nor do I want to look forward too much and feel daunted by everything that lies ahead of me. So I'm going to make an effort to be content with the present and trust God as I allow Him to lead me along the way.

I'm going to stop and enjoy the beautiful morning.

This is why I am taking on the challenge not to buy any new clothes this year. I don't need more and I don't want to buy into the world's message that more is better or that it makes you happier. Because it doesn't. More stuff makes me feel more dissatisfied. And, unless I shop ethically, me having more stuff is just buying the unhappiness of others. (On top of that shopping is just stressful and I definitely struggle to enjoy the moment when I'm shopping.)

It is also why I want to take on the '365 Grateful Project'. Simply trying to post a photo every day of the year is quite a daunting challenge. But some how posting a photo every day with the intention of finding something daily to be grateful for seems much more manageable, and more exciting.