New Year began with an unforeseen seven of us celebrating at Hotel H, an untried blend which worked out smoothly despite the foul weather that kept us indoors for most of the time. Fortunately the arrival of so many visitors coincided with some downtime in my writing schedule. Picking up one of the magazines that arrived with the visitors, promising all kinds of reinventions for the new year, I couldn’t resist seeing what the stars, apparently, had in store for me.
‘Delays on the work front are inevitable at the moment,’ said the monthly forecast. True, especially with seven people in the house. ‘While you’re waiting to get things done, or for a project to get the green light, have a think about where you know you’ve wasted your energy professionally in the past, so that it doesn’t happen again in 2012.’
Wasted my energy? What about all those hours spent slogging away at my desk, trying to make up for all the time spent fretting about Aged P, moving house, tearing it apart and putting it together again?
Turning to the yearly forecast, the section headed ‘Work/life balance’ (Ah, don’t you just love the idea of a work/life balance?) urged me to ‘Make 2012 your year of working smarter, not harder.’ And actually that does make sense. I have several writing projects in mind this year and I’m going to start by planning them, remembering to allow some time for those unforeseen incidents that inevitably derail them.
But, having scoffed at the magazine horoscopes, I should add that I was very privileged a couple of years ago, when the very lovely Dog Star drew up my personal horoscope as a counter to my natural scepticism. I have to admit that what I read was so accurate it was spine-tingling. The reading included some forecasts for this year which, if they unfold as suggested, would really be rather nice. In the meantime, there are some events at Hotel H which haven’t been too hard to predict. Take five visitors, three of whom have colds at various stages of being cooked, and guess what they leave behind?
Happy New Year to you!
Comments
I a bit of an agnostic re astrology, but do recognize all the Virgo aspects that I carry around daily.
May you shed that cold soon, and discover your own way of working smarter. (In my experience, working smarter sometimes does end up sort of incorporating the working harder bits, too. I don't think I've noticed it resulting in working "lighter." Maybe I need to try "harder!")
xo to you and Tom.
I'm Gemini so the predictions can make me laugh or frown upon, depending on which Teresa is up at the time ahahahah.
But I have a selective mind ;) so I tend to read only when it's good and happy stuff, and then I'm on the way trying to make it happen.
I'm an Aries. As my aunt once said, I rush in where angels fear to tread. I'm not sure about that...then again, maybe she's right.
Hope you have a brilliant year personally and professionally.x
I'm a Taurus and I always hate the predictions for me, so I ignore them.
I was born under the sign of Cancer which means I'm supposed to be a sensitive, loving, loyal home builder. The reality is that I live in a tip and write about murder and mayhem. ;)
Hope the cold's better soon!
There is nowhere you can read this sort of thing short of a three tome almanac. No one however seems terribly interested, even Dog Star.
I do wish you though a Happy and Successful Smarter Working New Year.
Of course, being an Aries, I'll charge ahead no matter what! :)
Thanks, Milla.
Happy New Year to both of your minds, Norma!
FP, Bleurgh! Not what you need!
Frances, I enjoyed your observations about work aims! Must remember that working smarter doesn't necessarily mean lighter!
Debs, I wish you the same. Fingers crossed that this will be your year.
Pondside, thank you! I'm beginning to wonder who is reading their predictions!
Elizabeth, aha, it's you! Dog Star's reading really was uncannily accurate. What a pity she's so busy these days, I do miss her blogs in all their manifestations.
Shirley, you've made me laugh! All best wishes for smart working with the murder and mayhem!
But Fennie, would you really want to know exactly what the week held for you? If I thought she was less busy, I'd try to get Dog Star to give us a hint of what's in store. Dog Star? Are you out there?
Ooh, Talli, I do hope you're right. Here's to 2012 delivering for all of us. Hope the cold's cleared up.
So sorry to have been so remiss in keeping up to date with everyone, especially you, Chris. My life has undergone a huge turnaround over the past few weeks and I now find myself with a virtually full-time job and precious little time for blogging or soothsaying. You have, however, reignited a small spark and Dog Star may just have to come out of retirement.
A very happy new year to one and all - and, yes, I do sense a year of new beginnings and dramatic cosmic alignments all round. Watch this space... XXX
I was saying, LBD, before Blogger beamed me up, how very lovely it was to see you again. Many congratulations on the new job. I hope you're enjoying it and settling in although I feel a tad gloomy that we'll see even less of you and your marvellous blogs.
I do hope the Dog with the crystal ball unearths his Tarot cards in the not to distant future and shares his predictions for the future. Good to hear from you Cx