[null, {"document_url": "http://momsmonkeymind.blogspot.com/2012/12/lessons-learned-and-re-learned-in-2012.html", "unformatted_src": "http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dkEJTui3348/UOHTMxwu1DI/AAAAAAAAAXI/26N2Keq8mlk/s1600/IMG_1321.JPG", "src": "http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dkEJTui3348/UOHTMxwu1DI/AAAAAAAAAXI/26N2Keq8mlk/s1600/IMG_1321.JPG", "formatted_filename": "IMG", "rendered_width": 239, "rendered_height": 320}, null, {"document_url": "http://momsmonkeymind.blogspot.com/2012/12/lessons-learned-and-re-learned-in-2012.html", "unformatted_src": "http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-svIC-ydztMw/UOHTHm7ONVI/AAAAAAAAAR8/PpHJfp6pkeA/s1600/IMG_1304.JPG", "src": "http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-svIC-ydztMw/UOHTHm7ONVI/AAAAAAAAAR8/PpHJfp6pkeA/s1600/IMG_1304.JPG", "formatted_filename": "IMG", "rendered_width": 320, "rendered_height": 239}, null, {"document_url": "http://momsmonkeymind.blogspot.com/2012/12/lessons-learned-and-re-learned-in-2012.html", "unformatted_src": "http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E7QIijUXE4g/UOHTbwUWyZI/AAAAAAAAAXE/A3XZ-f9GIOQ/s1600/IMG_1505.JPG", "src": "http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E7QIijUXE4g/UOHTbwUWyZI/AAAAAAAAAXE/A3XZ-f9GIOQ/s1600/IMG_1505.JPG", "formatted_filename": "IMG", "rendered_width": 320, "rendered_height": 256}, null, {"document_url": "http://momsmonkeymind.blogspot.com/2012/12/lessons-learned-and-re-learned-in-2012.html", "unformatted_src": "http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqD6fKBRcHA/UOHTYDttz5I/AAAAAAAAAVQ/qMqYHLb8hZo/s1600/IMG_1455.JPG", "src": "http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZqD6fKBRcHA/UOHTYDttz5I/AAAAAAAAAVQ/qMqYHLb8hZo/s1600/IMG_1455.JPG", "formatted_filename": "IMG", "rendered_width": 320, "rendered_height": 239}, null, {"document_url": "http://momsmonkeymind.blogspot.com/2012/12/lessons-learned-and-re-learned-in-2012.html", "unformatted_src": "http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NOzwvQuUCrk/UOHTco3wT8I/AAAAAAAAAWY/WbfRjJKIm5s/s1600/IMG_1506.JPG", "src": "http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NOzwvQuUCrk/UOHTco3wT8I/AAAAAAAAAWY/WbfRjJKIm5s/s1600/IMG_1506.JPG", "formatted_filename": "IMG", "rendered_width": 320, "rendered_height": 240}, null, {"document_url": "http://momsmonkeymind.blogspot.com/2012/12/lessons-learned-and-re-learned-in-2012.html", "unformatted_src": "http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WO38y5Cf54Q/UOHTSzZJh1I/AAAAAAAAAUI/UttaOZ5X6j0/s1600/IMG_1375.JPG", "src": "http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WO38y5Cf54Q/UOHTSzZJh1I/AAAAAAAAAUI/UttaOZ5X6j0/s1600/IMG_1375.JPG", "formatted_filename": "IMG", "rendered_width": 320, "rendered_height": 239}, null, {"document_url": "http://momsmonkeymind.blogspot.com/2012/12/lessons-learned-and-re-learned-in-2012.html", "unformatted_src": "http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sm2Dtbm9yY0/UOHTZ0W2vvI/AAAAAAAAAXA/2Kyijk2TDQU/s1600/IMG_1491.JPG", "src": "http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sm2Dtbm9yY0/UOHTZ0W2vvI/AAAAAAAAAXA/2Kyijk2TDQU/s1600/IMG_1491.JPG", "formatted_filename": "IMG", "rendered_width": 320, "rendered_height": 204}, null, {"document_url": "http://momsmonkeymind.blogspot.com/2012/12/lessons-learned-and-re-learned-in-2012.html", "unformatted_src": "http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eoxqQW5JTvc/UOHTbgeN9iI/AAAAAAAAAWI/_HrQuIsLmOE/s1600/IMG_1504.JPG", "src": "http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eoxqQW5JTvc/UOHTbgeN9iI/AAAAAAAAAWI/_HrQuIsLmOE/s1600/IMG_1504.JPG", "formatted_filename": "IMG", "rendered_width": 240, "rendered_height": 320}, null, null, null, null, {"document_url": "http://momsmonkeymind.blogspot.com/2012/12/lessons-learned-and-re-learned-in-2012.html", "unformatted_src": "//4.bp.blogspot.com/-1brgEc7YB_M/Tpr8HcTmolI/AAAAAAAAANY/u7aCjNjQ9uY/s80/Updated%2BPic.jpg", "src": "http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1brgEc7YB_M/Tpr8HcTmolI/AAAAAAAAANY/u7aCjNjQ9uY/s80/Updated%2BPic.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Updated BPic", "alt_text": "My photo", "rendered_width": 63, "rendered_height": 80}, null]

Lessons Learned and Re-Learned in 2012

Lesson One: You Can't Take it With You, and You Sure Can Leave a Mess Behind I'm at the age where many of the previous generation, and even members of my own, are heading to the great beyond. The good news is that happy memories and interesting collections live on, and the less good news is that piles of stuff and conversations that should have been had, become time-consuming problems to solve. This year we've made great strides to leave clarity behind, and it feels good! As for the stuff, it's a work in progress, but at least there's forward motion.

Lesson Two: There Will Always be More Where That Came From If I don't bring it in to the house, I won't have to store it, clean it, or feel guilty about not using or wearing it. And, better yet, I won't leave it behind for other people to deal with (see Lesson One).

Lesson Three: Do Not Check Work Email While Not At Work Nine times out of ten there's something in that in-box that will irritate the stuffing out of me, and I didn't have to look in the first place.

I'm trying to stop, and I'm getting better at it.

Lesson Four: Listen To Your Kids or Others Who Will Tell the Unvarnished Truth "Mom, you don't need any more cookbooks." True. "Mom, you say you're trying to be helpful, but you're criticizing me." Ouch.

Lesson Five: Time is the Only Finite Resource If I have one resolution for 2013, it's to focus on the good stuff, and to spend time doing what I enjoy. I love being with my family, laughing, going outside, cooking, eating, reading, and making stuff, and in 2013 I want it all!

Posted by Diane E at 12:12 PM Diane E
Kensington, California, United States
You will often see me walking around town. That's when I do some of my best thinking.
