Thoughts for 2008

I do not make New Year's Resolutions because I seldom keep them. But my thoughts and goals for 2008 are as follows, not in any particular order:

1. PEACE:  Though this one is out of my hands, I pray for peace in the world. That nation will respect nation, and people will learn to live together in harmony, accepting each other with love, in spite of each others faults and differences. I know. That's idealistic, but these are my thoughts and prayers, and God listens. His answer may not be what I wish for, but then again, it might be.
2. PERSISTENCE: This deals with my writing. Remembering that editors and agents have different tastes, or the timing might be wrong for the subject matter of my story, or various other reasons that again are out of my control, I will continue to send out my stories. One day, they might just land on the right desk and the right time and be exactly what the editor/agent is looking for at that particular moment.
3. PATIENCE:  Waiting is hard. Whether it's for word on a manuscript making the rounds, for my contracted books to be published, or for something in my personal life, I will recognize the fact that worrying about it will only make me a grouch and won't speed things up. "And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?" Matthew 6: 28-30, King James Version.
4. PRIORITIZE:  Slow down and enjoy the moment. I do not have to do it all today. There's always tomorrow, and—like my sweet mother used to say—if tomorrow doesn't come, then I'll never know. Lighten up. Don't take life so seriously. Have a little fun along the way.
5. ORGANIZE:  I never can find something when I'm looking for it, so this coming year, I hope to organize my life, my home, and my writing. Wish me luck on this one.

This should keep me busy.