Delights to Cultivate in 2016

Last year, I gave up New Year's Resolutions. You know those terrible little nagging tasks we outline for ourselves at the beginning of each year... that horrible list of things we neglected last year that we drag into the new year to haunt our idle hours. Yes... New. Year's. Resolutions. I gave them up. Why? Beacuase new year's resolutions always seem to be about NOT doing something or losing something or stopping something. Lose weight. Quit wasting time. Stop mindless spending. That doesn't interest me any more. I want to live more fully in the present moment. I want to sink into my experiences and really imbibe the beauty all around me. 

In THIS lovely article, Laura Grace Weldon explores the idea of "Delight-Driven Willpower" and creates a great list of goals for the new year. She talks about traditional goals and how they zap energy from the truly delightful things in your life. I couldn't agree more. So again, for the second year in a row, inspired Ms. Weldon's example, here is my delight driven goals for 2016.


1. Learn more about baking bread.

2. Investigate the world of essential oils.

3. Indulge my inner student and take a Spanish class (time to brush up).

4. Find small ways to surprise and romance my husband every day.

5. Garden with my neighbors in a communal setting.

6. Spend time in my art studio every day.

7. Practice dry skin brushing (it sounds like it would feel really good).

8. Be a person who wears clothing I made for myself.

9. Nourish my children with a peaceful demeanor.

10. Walk for pleasure.

11. Celebrate each day with a luxurious morning body stretch.

12. Enjoy a slower pace.

13. Take the time it takes to accomplish tasks.

14. Cultivate deep listening - to people, to my inner workings and to the world around me.

15. Share whatever goodness comes to me.

And now it's your turn, dear reader. 

What delights do you want to cultivate in 2016?