This Author’s New Year’s Resolutions
I used to be serious about doing New Year’s resolutions when I was younger, right along with the rest of the national masses, but I learned from repeatedly having to restart those promises after a few weeks that I required a different way to approach this. Resolutions are great and can truly be something positive we bring to our lives (and not just at the beginning of a new year), but maybe we go about this the wrong way. Instead of feeling “forced” to slog through a new diet and exercise routine or pushing myself to “get better” at whatever I felt I needed to get better at, I decided to change the word from resolution to practice. What if everyday I practiced something I wanted to change, like movement or adding healthier foods to my diet? I wouldn’t feel like I had to be perfect and “get it right” but could simply make some adjustments to my daily life. Here are the following practices I’ve chosen to incorporate into my life for 2024:
Photo Pixabay
To be a better listener. I have a horrible habit of interrupting people when they are talking. It’s rude, rude, rude and doesn’t allow the other person to feel heard by me. I’m sure this comes from childhood and trying to make my noisy family pay attention to what I had to say, although I was usually overshadowed by someone with a louder, bigger voice than mine. Sometimes it’s about feeling included in the conversation and adding something to what’s being said, which is fine if the other person is finished but they usually aren’t. I end up apologizing for interrupting them and then interrupt them as they add something else! Okay, enough.
Back in mid-November, I started doing 20 minutes of meditation each morning, mostly to see if they would help cut down the migraines I get. I have noticed that I don’t feel so compelled to interrupt people when they are talking to me. I think the meditation is helping me to stay centered and calm and not feel anxious, like I’m not going to get my turn to talk, when I’m around others. (It seems to be helping to reduce the number of migraines I’m getting, and my husband says he’s been incredibly mellow the last few weeks - glad I could help out.) This is a habit I truly want to change. We all have something to say, and I’d rather hear what that is instead of cutting everyone off that I’m speaking with.
Photo Pixabay
Learn more about dressage and improve my riding. Okay, this was probably pretty obvious. I’m having a great time being back around horses and riding again, but there are times when I don’t know what the trainer is asking me to do. Dressage is quite different from riding hunt seat, of which I was trained to do. My leg is in a longer stirrup and I sit more upright. It’s the different sized circles and geometry of the moves that I don’t understand - yet.
I have been reading a ton of dressage books and doing the best I can. I have to understand it will simply take time to learn, just like anything else that’s new. I have been following Nicola Smith's Dressage Rider Training to strengthen my body as I learn more about really using my legs to ask my horse to move on. I love her 21-Day Challenge, 5-minute workouts on Instagram that are so effective. I put together three or four of them and have a complete workout in a few minutes. Very doable! They are definitely helping me when I’m in the saddle.
For Christmas, my husband gave me a lease horse (I know, I cried). I have to wait until a suitable horse becomes available at the stable, but I’m looking forward to spending more time focusing on one horse as I learn dressage. The horse pictured above looks like a wonderful mount to have. Hmm, maybe I could start looking for a horse of my own . . .
Photo Pixabay
Write the next novel. I have a picture book manuscript I sent off to an acquiring editor back in December and another very rough draft of another picture book about Appaloosas, but I’m still trying to figure out the next novel to write. I have some ideas. One is for a YA horse novel from the perspective of a boy main character. Another idea is for an adult historical novel about women and art. Another idea that came to me recently is about a woman, her horse, and an unhappy marriage. I’m not sure which one it will be. I’m sure the inspiration for one of these will take over soon. I can always edit the picture book manuscript as I work on a new novel.
Photo Pixabay
Spend more time in nature. I’m fortunate to live in a very rural area with plenty of woods and fields and nature all around me. I missed the whole gardening season last year as I worked on editing and re-branding the first three books in the Oak Lane Stable Novel Series and finished writing Ghost Horse, Book 4. I want to make sure I get plenty of exercise outside and spend more time in my (now very weedy) perennial gardens. I have a lot to do in spring!
I spend time going for walks too. I love watching the seasons change as I explore my familiar farming neighborhood. I will pay attention to the wildlife that shows up as I walk along the trails. It’s fun to notice animals or birds that show up that are more unusual to see, like Bald Eagles lately. Nature is amazing.
I wish you success in your New Year’s resolutions. Stay the course!
MHWF Website.
I donate regularly to the Midwest Horse Welfare Foundation. I have followed them for years and send a portion of the book sales to them quarterly and for their annual fall hay drive. They always need donations for the rescued horses they have in their care.
Author Kerri Lukasavitz and the middle grade Oak Lane Stable Novel Series: Books written for young readers, but enjoyed by horse lovers of all ages.
