Author Jena C. Henry savors M & Ms while contemplating 2017.

We’ll Take a Cup of Kindness

My husband spent the morning searching on the internet for tips on the care and feeding of vacuum cleaners and then he spent the afternoon watching videos on how to clean every crevice and cranny of the machine.

I spent the morning searching the internet for “questions to reflect on at the end of the year” and then I spent the afternoon laughing at the suggestions and making up my own even nuttier questions. I am not for much introspection, although I did regret not eating more peanut M&Ms this year. So yes, hubby had the more productive day.

However, I did try something new in 2017 and so I do want to ponder it before 2018 roars in.

I started 2017 with a new goal. Resolved: To be open to anything that presents itself to me this year!

I set this goal last January, because I had spent the past two years writing the three books in my Charli series and then learning how to market them. By 2017, I was ready for something new and eager to learn more so I decided to stay open to see what would come to me.

What came to me? More than I expected!

A podcast with Pat Rullo!

I explored Facebook Live and I made some other videos!

I was asked by the founder of Readers Review Room, Traci Sanders, to be a reviewer for her book lovers site. This opened me up to more than just the joy of reading more books, because from her and her resources I have learned so much more about connecting with readers.

I wrote a short story and entered it into a contest. Didn’t win but I received a great critique.

I met two online friends In Real Life! Maureen Aliprandi and Beth Ann Chiles

In my personal life, I was blessed with another fun year with my friends and family. I made an effort to be with them more and we enjoyed happy hours and dinners and time on the boat. These may not sound like major accomplishments, but we are major foodies so we love to eat together, try new tastes, instagram it, and compares notes. Ahi tuna poke is our new unicorn! And as far as the boat, I am a bit uncomfortable being out on the big lake (“Oh God thy sea is so great and my boat is so small”) so I was glad I opened up to sharing my family’s interests.

 I also tried to filter my talking: I tried to speak when I could be positive and encouraging, and did my best to kept quiet when I felt the urge to argue or correct. Hubby and I focused more on our health, too. Thank you, 2017.

And there’s a hand, my trusty friend to 2018!

Do you make New Year’s Resolutions?

Do you change them or keep focusing on the same ones?