Monday, January 02, 2012

On resolutions for 2012

Day two of the new year and my resolution for the year has landed in my lap, handed to me by circumstance.

Today, I recognized what was knocking on my door, asking me to answer.

This year's resolution is one of doing for others. Each day of 2012, I resolve to do something for someone. That simple. Large or small gesture, small or large effort. A favor, an exercise, a hand, a connection.

It began yesterday when I found a ring on my morning walk and then found the people it belonged to. I realized how the link between lost and found was my discovery and connection. 

This morning, I read a question on Twitter from a favorite photographer of mine. For Christmas, she received a Hasseblad camera and she was looking for a lab in Houston that processed the medium format 120 film. She was having no luck. After a couple emails with her, and a phone call to the photography store I frequent, I introduced her to a lab that would meet her needs. 

She emailed me:  WHOA! You're awesome, thank you! I'm totally going to take my roll of film there today. I'm so happy.

It didn't take much effort at all on my part. I've lived in Houston longer than she has and I knew who to call to find the answer, that's all. Just the time to make a phone call and relay the information to her. And, again, I felt that I was an element in the solution, just a small link to a bit of happiness. I liked that.

So in 2012, I'm on the lookout for opportunities to help. I'm opening up my mind and heart to being there, to being an answer.

3 comments:

Linda@VS said...

Alison, you truly ARE awesome! This may be the very best New Year's resolution I've ever heard of, and if anyone can keep it, I believe it's you. Proud to know you, my friend.

CreekHiker / HollysFolly said...

You are a beautiful person through and through!

Anonymous said...

On some of the days of 2012...it will be ok if it is something helpful for yourself! You must also take care of you!