A New Year

There's something about a New Year that brings renewed hope ... even if it does have to begin with a January (bleak, dark, cold, ice, snow, dark ... did I mention dark?).

Maybe its the blank calendar/daytimers. Picking my new daytimer book each year is a ritual with me. I have lots of criteria. It has to reflect "me." (Meaning a little unusual--but classic enough to take into meetings, etc.) I was delighted to find my 2009 choice amidst a picked over pile at Barnes and Noble last week. The cover design was inspired by the beauty of 15th-century Italian bound books (decorated with gold tooling). Very Past Perfect Style, don't you think?

For me, these books are part schedule (with reminders of where I was and need to be), part organizers (phone numbers, emails, etc.), part journal (to jot quick notes of things I want to do and experiences I had), part inspiration (I jot down great quotes I come across or creative ideas, web sites, etc.) and part security blanket. I can face almost anything if my little journal book is with me. Even if I ever decide to get a Blackberry, I'll never give up my journals. There's something about writing ... doodling ... re-reading (without having to scroll) ... blank paper and a nice pen ...that a mechanical device can never replace.

I've already logged a few new great quotes and "books to read this year" in my new journal. And it's making the transition from "house" to "home." Next I'll log my resolutions for '09. You KNOW that once they are in writing, you immediately become more accountable, right? Happy New.