Happy New Year! It’s Time to WATUSI!

I usually approach New Year’s Eve hoping to have something to do, somewhere to go, friends to be around.  When my children were younger, New Year’s Eves were spent with my family, trying to carry on the traditions that I remembered from my childhood.  Dick Clark, Guy Lombardo and the Royal Canadians, and the ball drop in Time’s Square were a part of what made it special.  We would sit around the television and wait.  With one minute to go until midnight, my mother would pass out bread and pennies for us to hold as the clock struck twelve and another year began.  Being a child born to the Great Depression she told us, “This way, you’ll have food and money in the New Year”.  May be others have similar memories.  My children never seemed to quite appreciate the rituals the way that I did.

This year, I wasn’t as eager to search for excitement and New Year’s revelre but I still had no doubts this year would still be special.  I had the evening planned, every last minute.  First, I’d lounge in a bubble bath, in the tub that has finally been replaced and is now usable.  Then, I’d get dressed-up, in one of those dresses that I never wear with special undergarments that are equally treasured and unworn.  I planned to turn on some good music that got me on my feet and dancing around.  I would make a special dinner and enjoy eating it slowly, and then settle in to watch the ball drop with a glass of champagne, a piece of bread, and a penny.

Unfortunately, as the day went on, I felt more and more under the weather.  Sore throat, chills, ….Damn!  The last thing that I wanted to do was dress up.  Give me my comfy sweats and a blanket and I’m sinking into the couch.  So, with a slight variation, 2013 left with a good dinner that will leave me left over steak for tomorrow, still had me soaking in the bubble bath, and the sweats are definitely making me feel cozy.  By the way, I envy those of you who actually get to experience winter.  We were in the 80’s yesterday so once out of the warm bath the only way the sweats work is to have the air conditioner making it climate appropriate.

Now for the WATUSI!  My mother loved the word.  I’m not sure that she ever did the dance, at least I never saw her, but when I thought about dancing tonight, doing the Watusi immediately came to mind.  It’s what my mom would say when she was having a good time, and usually a drink as well…”Come on.  Let’s do the Watusi!”

This year Mom, I am going to Watusi into the New Year, but not in the way you or I initially intended.  I’m going to Watusi through each and every day and each and every week.  The Watusi is going to help me create a new lifestyle.  I’m going to WATUSI.

W – Weekly

A – Accomplishments

T – To

U – Uplift

S – Specific

I – Intentions

It isn’t unusual to establish New Year’s resolutions. How long do your’s last?  I know that most of mine are gone in a matter of weeks because they didn’t come with a plan and they weren’t developed with long term goals in mind.

This year, welcome 2014!  I have a vision and goals and each and every week, I’m going to Watusi.  I’m excited because I know where they will take me.

What about you?  Do you Watusi?  Why not join me?  What better way to be grateful for what’s possible before us than to honor ourselves with the specific actions and accomplishments that will take us there.

Happy New Year!  Welcome 2014!