On a sunny New Year’s Day here in Seattle, my family and I enjoyed a walk along a rocky beach in a nearby park, and as an impromptu activity, I told everyone to look for a special stone. When they were satisfied with their choices, I suggested that each of us share one wish for the coming year before throwing our rocks into Puget Sound for luck. Mine was for family adventures in 2018 (vague, I know). My husband was more specific with a dream vacation to Europe. My 7-year-old hoped to read as much Harry Potter as possible, and my 5-year-old planned to earn a Lego set. In his infinite wisdom, my 2-year-old wished to throw his rock into the water and immediately chucked it in. Mission accomplished. I’ve been thinking a lot about resolutions this week, and how to start the New Year off right. Should I repeat last year’s failed attempt at meditating each day? Improve my nutrition? Unplug and read more books? It all sounds a bit daunting. If there’s one thing to take away from our family exercise, maybe it’s that with or without lofty goals, we should remember to embrace the small opportunities that bring us happiness each day. Just pick up a rock and throw it.
