Dear Kid,

First things first. Turns out that Clemson trounced Oklahoma University the other night. My apologies.

Tomorrow is the first of January (you knew that, but I needed a transition).

Many people focus on resolutions for the new year. They make promises to themselves for all sorts of things (and by “all sorts of things” I mean weight loss, new job, working out more, etc.).

Those resolutions generally last somewhere up to 6 days, 8 hours, and 49 minutes.

Yet we (and by “we” I mean most of us) make resolutions, knowing we are unlikely to keep them.

The Japanese have a different approach.

The new year is a very important holiday in Japan. Rather than focusing on resolutions, the Japanese hold “Bonenekai” or “forget-the-year-party” to say goodbye to the problems and troubles of the past year and prepare for a new beginning.

Happy New Year!! DearKidLoveMom.comRather than making promises for the future, they release the old and make room for the new. By opening themselves up to the possibilities of the new year, they create room for whatever comes their way.

It’s a very different way of looking at things.

It’s one I think I’m going to try this year.

Goodbye 2014—it’s been nice knowing you.

Hello 2015—I can’t wait to see what you have in store for me.

Happy New Year, kiddo!

Love, Mom