I make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes

In 2012...

• I gained: a much more realistic sense of the effect that generosity has on my life--incoming and outgoing, good and bad.
• I lost: 25 pounds.
• I stopped: eating Frosted Mini-Wheats for breakfast every morning, for one thing.
• I started: eating Cheerios for breakfast every morning, for one thing.
• I was hugely satisfied by: the enjoyment that I found using my Kindle. Who would have thought that such simple technology could fit so seamlessly into my life?
• ...and frustrated by: my work situation, yet again, or still. It's beyond frustrating to when upper management fails to back up middle management, fails to plan ahead (ever), fails to deal fairly with employees, or fails to communicate effectively. When all of those are the case more often than not--that's what I face.
• I am so embarrassed that I: had to learn yet another expensive lesson.
• Once again, I: spent more time at work than I was paid to do, or needed to do, or should have.
• Once again, I did not: take enough vacation, relax effectively, or take my own advice.
• The biggest physical difference between me last December and this December is: the 25 pounds that are gone.
• The biggest psychological difference between me last December and this December is: feeling comfortable (really) with the shell over, and moat around, and razor-wire-topped chain-link fence surrounding, my world-weary heart.
• I loved spending time: with my plants. The little dudes look mighty fine.
• Why did I spend even two minutes: with people who don't have an abiding interest in encouraging my happiness??
• I should have spent more time: writing.
• I regret buying: an inmate.
• I will never regret buying the books I've read even though with that money I could have paid some bills a little sooner.
• I stayed at work for an extra half-hour way too much.
• I didn’t tell my friends that they are smart and funny and terrifically important to me enough.
• "Traffic" drove me crazy.
• The most relaxing place I went was my living room. No, I'm not kidding.
• Why did I go to my brother's wedding half fearing that no one would talk to me? My extended family was so warm and welcoming that day, just thinking about it chokes me up, still.
• The best thing I did for someone else was "best" in their own estimation, I suppose. I did some things for some other people, and what they made of it is up to them.
• The best thing I did for myself was not jumping up when a guy I liked [finally] came calling, because no matter how much I liked him, that call was too little, too late.
• The best thing someone did for me was something little. A text message when I needed to know that someone was hearing me--or hearing my absence. A Facebook status or Like or comment that told me I wasn't alone. A hug when I wouldn't have thought to ask for it. A card in the mail or on my desk. Dinner, cooked over a couple of beers and a lot of laughs. Just being there, you know? That's the best thing.
• The one thing I’d like to do over again, but do it better, is ...I'd like to have the chance to rethink my choices. Can I get off my rear and go to the party a little early, to help out? Can I write a card to tell somebody that I think our long-term friendship means a lot to me, rather than watching a rerun (or a blowout game) on TV? Can I get up an hour earlier on a weekend and spend that extra hour making cookies to share, rather than lose it to the sandman, who probably gets enough of my life? Can I spend another hour a week with weights and the yoga mat, so I can live a little longer overall and maybe get this right someday? That's what I'd like to do over, please.

[from The Cat, who got it here; the title quotation is by Sara Teasdale, from 'The Philosopher']