Note: The following giveaway is open to US/Canadian residents only.
When I was 22 years old, I wrote a poem on New Year’s Day. Having just exited a 4-year relationship, and sorely needing to lose about 15 pounds of “comfort” weight, I made a promise that instead of making a resolution, I would simply give myself another chance.
Last year, I decided to share the poem with you and published it just before the New Year. And today, I can still picture myself, sitting on my bed in my parent’s home, huddled over my notepad as I put my feelings into words. After much thought, I’ve decided it is worth an encore post.
Here We Are… Another Year… Another Chance.
Another chance to say I love you.
Another chance to forgive and move on.
Another chance to lose five pounds.
Another chance to learn to love yourself just the way you are.
Another chance to try something new.
Another chance to try for a baby.
Another chance to swallow your pride.
Another chance to phone a friend.
Another chance to tuck them in bed.
Another chance to let her go.
Another chance to believe.
Another chance to eat dessert first.
Another chance to give to the poor.
Another chance to smile at a stranger.
Another chance to mend a broken heart.
Another chance to set a goal.
Another chance to walk away from the situation.
Another chance to say what’s on your mind.
Another chance to do something that scares you.
Another chance to see a movie on opening night.
Another chance to ask for help.
Another chance to block his phone number.
Another chance to hold someone’s hand.
Another chance to window shop in a neighbourhood you can’t afford.
Another chance to wish upon a star.
Another chance to admit you were wrong.
Another chance to hug your parents.
Another chance to paint your fingernails electric blue.
Another chance to book that overdue vacation.
Another chance to live your life without regret.
Another chance to pay it forward.
Another chance to be the very best person you can be.
Happy New Year all!
This season, I’ve teamed up with @SassyModernMom and our friends at American Express to help you with your New Year’s resolutions, or as I see it, “Another Chance”. One lucky reader will win a $250 American Express Gift Card. Put it towards a new gym membership, or perhaps use it all on that new handbag you deserve. Maybe you’ll purchase nonperishable goods for families in need, or splurge on a new look (you gotta wash that man right out of your hair, girl!). Will you book a day at a local spa – or pay it forward to a kind person you know?
(And if you want to spend it on fine cheeses and preserves, I am totally with you.)
To enter, simply fill the form below with your qualifying entries. Good luck everybody!
go to sleep on time so i can wake up refreshed for kiddies (who wake up before me :))
to take in parenting advice but not beat myself up if i’m not the perfect mom to my new baby. also to try to be in better shape post-baby than before!
Get fit and have fun!
I’m going to look for the silver lining in every dark cloud. Or smile trying!
To stop eating cookies
To be the best mom I can be for my new baby, and to have a positive attitude toward everything!
I am going to eat better and get my family eating better as well
To lose the last 20 pounds I want to lose!
I don’t make resolution, but if I did I’d want to get in shape. :)
Happy New Year!
To work on making myself happy instead of focusing on everyone else.
to put 2013 behind (it wasn’t a good year)
My resolutions are to lose a few pounds and to get my family to eat healthier. Happy New Year!
To find a new career path and to lose 10 lbs
to try and stick to clean eating so I have a day left to stuff my face silly hehe
To lose some of this extra weight
To be less cranky when my toddler chooses to start the day at 4 am.
Aim to become a calmer person, and do more hiking
To laugh more and learn to play the guitar
To earn more money.
I resolve to spend less time in front of the computer and more time organizing my clutter (basement and bedroom are the worst offenders). Spending time with the grandkids is a given already :)
Love the poem – glad you republished it this year for your “new” readers :)
To be a better me. We had a great year in 2013, and I just want to keep it up !
control my sugars better
to quit smoking again and this time for good
I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions. I live day to day and make necessary changes as I need to … or feel I should. This past year in February, I gave up a 41 year nail biting habit, quite proud of myself for that one. I just never felt a person should set a goal 1 day a year to change something..
I’m going to try to stop being so shy.
To be more patient!
I have a few again this year, getting in shape is my main goal, I won’t let myself fail this one! Next to believe in me, give myself room to grow! Spend more time with hubby, maybe even a vacation for us! Last but not least to work on my book, if I can’t write it myself, then find someone to write it for me!
I need to take better care of myself…that includes what goes into and what I don’t do/do with my body.
To find balance, physically, spiritually, emotionally. Period.
back to healthy eating and weight loss
To actually do the things I say I will do
to be kinder, to pay it forward more, to smile often, to kiss and hug often, to say i love you more often
I lose weight in a healthy way
In the new year, I want to adopt a child, so winning $250 would definitely be useful!
I started on my resolution 2 years ago…to be a better me. So far I have lost 40lbs, fallen in love with a man that treats me and my sons very well and generally find happiness in the every day. I want to continue on that same idea as I have another 20lbs to lose, I want to be kinder to those I meet and encourage others to be better as well. Fitness equipment would sure come in handy.
To pay off some debts and feel financially better
To get back into my healthy routines… everything got kind of hectic when I bought my house and moved and what not
To lose the 10 pounds I gained over the holidays and to follow a stricter skin regimen.
To eat healthier by cutting back on sugar and exercising at least 4 times per week
Mine is to purge….meaning clean up 20 years worth of junk.
lose weight and be more organized
To Live Healthier (get to the gym more) and to Eat Cleanier and Healthier.
It’s not a resolution, it’s a goal…to remain heart healthy.
I am resolving to spend the year doing more things that put a smile on my face.
To get myself & my family outside more often- get active and have fun !
I would love to loose 20lbs.
To get healthy, read more, drink more water and eat more kale :)
My resolution is to put my family first more than I did last year
Going screens free 1 night a week for family game time.
Simply to drink more water and less diet soda!
My 2014 resolution is to participate in a marathon. I haven’t done so in 10 years!
To start making healthy delicious meals and regular excerise so my body can feel as young as my head.
Quit smoking!
I hope to be more healthy by eating more organic veggies and food, and less processed foods!
My resolution next year is to limit my carb intake to 30grams a day!
Have a baby and lose all the weight :)
Just to be a little happier
To help as many people as I can.
Be more patient with my little kids.
love myself more
To get and stay organized and to not put off till tomorrow what I must do today!
to get outside in the outdoors for more exercise
To eat healthier and get my diabetes in check.
To enjoy every second with the one i love and appreciate every little things!
Spend more time with my family
I am going to keep it simple and choose happiness… it has been working well for me so I am going to keep going with it.
To laugh more and eat more chocolate!
my New Year’s resolution for 2014 is to eat healthier
My only resolution is to learn to accept myself.
never make a resolution
I am going to want less and give more! Make changes to enjoy life more and simplify everything!
I love to lose some weight. I do eat healthy food but I am a chip addict. I need to give those up. I will not buy chips in the New Year and hopefully no one else brings them into the house.
I don’t make resolutions
Spend more time as a family.
To make time to relax!
to maintain my weight
To eat healthier and to get more sleep
I want to be healthier and to love myself more!
get rid of or donate the stuff I no longer use in my house to get rid of the clutter
My New Years wish is to be more charitable to others.
I want to eat more healthily in 2014!
Spend more time with my kids.
My resolution is to quit smoking
Find a job in my field of study :)
Lose weight and pay off debt.
My resolution is to be more “girly” and NOT wear my hair in a ponytail everyday.
to enjoy life every day
to get through the year is my goal. I am struggling with my teen and it’s just been a mess. I seriously just want to get through it. That’s my goal
I stopped making them because I never keep them, I try to be kind to people every day, I give back and I am trust worthy and honest and I work at that every day!
To maintain a healthy weight.
My new year resolution is to spend more time with my parents and family.
I would love to spread my positivity to the world!
I really want to go out of my way to try different things and get out of my comfort zone.
I want to eat healthier and stop wasting money on all the little things
Try to sleep early and of course the usual workout
to connect with my loved ones more
I don’t really make resolutions more like goals. This year I want to get more sleep as I tend to not do that and I would really love to save more money .
I don’t believe in New Years Resolutions. I just hope that 2014 is a better year, cause 2013 kicked me a lot.
I don’t actually have a New Year’s Resolution…more like small ‘smart’ goals that I learned while taking a CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) class. Beautiful poem, Lena :)
TO get outdoors and do more fishing in 2014!!
My resolution is to play more tennis with my family in 2014!
Commented on non-giveaway post as Janet W.
http://listen2lena.wpengine.com/2013/12/life-hacks-disney-cars-diecast-garage.html#comment-340965
Get more rest
My new years resolution is to always forget to be grateful for all that I have
Continue to be kind, loving, positive and continue to do my daily meditations, yoga and eat healthy.
My resolution is to try to cut out junk food from my diet and eat cleaner!
To laugh more and eat healthy.
Continue to use coupons and price match to save money
I don’t make any, when I do they last maybe a week, so I just don’t, I just take one day at a time now and am just happy with my health and family
More patient and more organized.
To take on new challenges, fitness, health, being a mom to 2 and embrace them all! Also to spend more play time with my kids! Family time is so important and I don’t want to miss an opportunity!
To eat healthier
My only resolution is to travel more.
To eat healthier and exercise more regularly.
To get more sleep and eat more veggies :)
For 2014 I want to loose 17lbs, and read the Bible through in the year.
I’m going to stop counting calories and instead eat healthier
Eat healthier and quit smoking
nothing unusual – to get more exercise!
I want to lose 15 to 20 lbs. I want to be able to exercise more each week and try to cut off eating junk food
I want to start running again…get in shape and I want to start saving money for my son’s future
My resolution is to make more time for exercise and not listen to all the excuses I make for myself not to do it.
To get fit
To be happier and be more aware of the present
I resolve to get fit for our 25th anniversary in 2014
i need to lose weight
To lose 25lbs.
Will give it to a friend in school that needs some financial help… she is a wonderful women and would use it wisely.
i hope my job gets easier!
To be more patient w the kids
To lose some weight and to quit smoking
To start using my dusty gym membership and shed these final pounds from a journey I started years ago!
Commented on non-giveaway post as Janet W.
http://listen2lena.wpengine.com/2013/12/three-toys-under-my-tree.html#comment-341843
Try to get back to Calgary 2 or more times to see my Dad.
find a hobby or passion
Drink more water! I failed last year, I need to try more this year!
to take better care of myself because honestly I always put myself last and haven’t even had a decent night sleep in almost 5 years (my oldest turns 5 in April)
Eat breakfast everyday (I know…it’s terrible that I skip it!), and really work hard towards saving money for our future!
http://www.CountryUrbanLife.com
Mine is to lost some weight.
To be more active and sociable – I spend too much time on the sofa.
Personal goal is to take a vacation with my family somewhere warm like Florida
Financial goal is to save $5000 towards owning my home
To get all the little details in our home finished – painting baseboards, closet organizers, etc.
I resolve to be more organized
I want to start saving for my dream vacation! :D
Loose weight, spend more time with my girls, and make plenty of happy memories
To relax a little- not let everything bother me. Once I do that I can become a better (and healthier) me!
My New Year’s resolution for 2014 is to remember to take my daily vitamins.
to become organized and spend more time with family
Lose 20 pounds!
I have a couple resolutions this year – first and foremost, to finish my master’s thesis. I would also like to spend less time watching TV and more time reading! Thanks for the amazing giveaway, and thanks for sharing your poem! :)
start and finish one project at a time instead of having 10 on the go and finishing nothing
Commented on non-giveaway post as Janet W.
http://listen2lena.wpengine.com/2013/12/we-are-collectors-disney-planes-by-mattel.html#comment-342616
To eat more healthier food!
Try to get fit and eat better
I plan to get a grip on my closets!
For the first time in a long time, I have a new resolution. For the past few years, my resolution has been to quit smoking. Proud to say, that I am a week away from being 8 months smoke free! So now, my resolution is to lose the weight that has accumulated from quitting smoking and holiday baking lol!
i am going to be a first time mom in about a month, so my resolution is to be a great mom
Mine would have to be to eat carrots lol n lose some if my fluffiness
Mine is to be more positive. Weed out the negative and love all who love me:)
To see more of our friends and spend less time just passing like ships in the night with my husband !
Mine is to be more patient.
My resolution is to save money
to purchase no potato chips :)
My new years resolution is to lose weight and keep my sanity (what little I have left!) during my final year of nursing school!
My resolution is to live in the moment more and think less about the future or past :)
save more money
I don’t have resolutions but make all efforts to eat healthy this year
To lose five pounds :)
So boring I know…to lose weight!
My resolution is to not make resolutions…. and it works.
My new year’s resolution is to be able to jog with my dog more.
My New Year’s resolution is to lose weight,and eat healthier.
To try to save money , and spend wisely
do more walking and strengthen my arms
to eat better and become healthier.
To be happier for others and myself
eat more healthier
Lose my baby weight after having a newborn in November!
My NY resolution is to cut out junk food. I really need to start eating healthy!
Learn how to be happy
My NY resolution is to stay more on top of things and be better organized..
I have made a goal to track everything I eat.
Entered the rafflecopter as “Wild orchid”
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
Join more social groups, go back to the gym.
My resolution for 2014 is to enjoy more time with my family & be less stressed about stuff – life is too short for that!
My new years resolution is to try to read at least one book a month.
With the distractions from the internet, I’ve noticed I haven’t read a book
in at least 2 years!
Be kind , especially to mean people
My new year’s resolution is to become healthier and find a job.
To not stop playing video games :)
To run a half marathon in 2014!
The goal is to get healthy and maintain the healthy lifestyle, we’re doing it as a family & increasing our activity, a family that does it together succeeds together :)
I want to eat out less, saving $ and calories!
To spend more time with people – and less time with computers!
Eat a lot more salads and not stay up so late.
my resolution is to live a healthier lifestyle by eating right
My New Year’s Resolution is to be less stressed.
Get back on my regular cardio and strength training workouts – thank you.
My resolution is to spend more time with my daughters. I want them to feel like they are my number 1 priority! Thank you for this chance!
ninigossett at gmail dot com
Commented on non-giveaway post as Janet W.
http://listen2lena.wpengine.com/2014/01/2014-new-beginnings-and-hats.html#comment-344322
To eat healthy, I’ve just learned I’m glutton intolerant so I need to change the way I eat.
I just want to stay calm and remember that everything happens for a reason.
Go to the dentist… (I go 1x a year in January — after not going for 10 — I’ve made this my resolution for the past few years with success).
To spend more time with my family that lives a bit further away.
Eat an apple a day for heart and overall health. Old adage, but doable goal for a better me.
To start running (which I hate) and complete even just a 10 k by the end of the year.
To create more balance in my life!
To build more strength and flexibility in my personal yoga practice!
demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com
To go the gym at least 3 times per week and to lose the last 22 pounds this year.
To exercise…my right to do whatever I want!
to spend as much time as i possibly can with my little girl before my mat leave is up in 4 months
I never tend to keep resolutions… so this year I am taking a different stance… I have multiple well about a hundred resolutions… as I really want to keep one this year, so I made a long list of things I would like… In hopes that I succeed at atleast one, if not more! A few from my list are, never go to bed with dirty dishes in the sink, drink atleast 8 glasses of water a day, pay off my car, plant a flower bed out front the house (I live for my backyard but tend to forget the front). Shed several unwanted pounds, eat 6 small ‘meals’ each day… the list goes on! Fingers crossed I can be successful at something this year!
Commented on non-giveaway post as Janet W.
http://listen2lena.wpengine.com/2013/12/three-clicks-to-a-new-couch.html#comment-345122
My resolution is to pay off all of my debt and not create any more in 2014.
To get healthier
My resolution for 2014 is to get rid of the clutter in my home. I have too many possessions that I never use so I plan to organize and minimize.
Take better care of my body!
I want to eat less fast food.
Another Year…. Another Chance #Giveaway My resolution for 2014 is to stop sweating the small stuff…take it as it comes
Reduce my debt and remember to just live and enjoy life.
My resolution is to lose alittle bit of weight
Getting myself and the whole family to eat healthier.
Play more and yell less. Simple, but not really.
I’m really trying to get more organized.
My plan for 2014 is to work on our home. To make it a more warm and welcoming place where people love to come in and spend time together.
My resolution this year is to eat more whole, more clean.
My New Year’s resolution for 2014 is to get to bed earlier! Sounds small, but I think I underestimated the powers of a good nights sleep :)
To be gentler with myself.
I want to get out for more walks and hikes this year.
I would like to go completely vegetarian.
Mine is actually to start driving <3
I resolve to be a more patient mom
To help out more in the community
To be more active.
My goal is to get moving everyday. Go for walks, ride the bike whatever I can do just to get going.
My news years resolution is to eat healthier!!
To become more organized in the home.
to continue my education
My New Years resolution is to pay off all my credit cards, I want a zero balance on my cards by the end of the year!!
I might seem small but mine is to stop biting my lip!
patience is a virtue, need more of it…..thats my goal
Eat more fruits and veggies this year.
It took me awhile to come up with one I would follow through with, but me and a friend are joining the local gym together!
I will try not to put off anything that takes less than five minutes to complete.
spend more time with my family
I’m resolving to start running again, and no booze for all of January!
I resolve to eat healthier this year
My resolution is to make small steps in acheiving goals – its easier to see your progress that way
I am going to stay slimmer, keep walking and try to get organized and do some more decluttering. ☺
Another chance… nice !!! for me, another chance to lose 5 lbs.
To learn something new each month.
I’m going to eat healthy, and get fit!
I want to quit smoking n 2014.
To take control of my Health and Finances
Use my iPhone less…sent from my iPhone.
To enjoy everyday in my life. The Good and The Bad.
I commented on the Weekend Brunch: French Toast Kabobs post.
Be more in the moment
We should all give ourselves another chance ! :)
My New Year resolution is to get more sleep during the week. I’m getting too old, mornings are getting harder and harder. I need more then 5-6 hours a night. I’m aiming for 7 hours
Try my best to stop drinking pop/soda.
to do yoga twice a week
My goals for this year are to be the best wife and mother I can be for my family and to also grow my student base for hoop dance/fit lessons/jam group.
Commented on non-giveaway post as Janet W.
http://listen2lena.wpengine.com/2014/01/weekend-brunch-french-toast-kabobs.html#comment-350179
My resolution is simply stated but harder to totally commit to but I will try – Look at life’s challenges with the glass half full, not half empty.
get out more, relax and try to do the things that mean something
I have a list of things I want to accomplish this year!
Break a bad habit
– Going to bed with makeup on
Learn a new skill
– Crocheting
Do a good deed
– Volunteer somewhere for a day, like Toy Mountain at Christmas
Visit a new place
– PEI vacation with Ryan
Read a difficult book
– Still looking for the right one to read
Write something important
– A children’s book I’ve wanted to write for the past couple of year
Try a new food
– Looking for suggestions!
Do something good for someone who can not thank you
– Still deciding between a few things
Take an important risk
– This may mean a move in our near future
To be more present with family. Disengage from social media.
Lose that lingering 10 pounds.
I would like to eat healthier and open an Etsy shop.
I don’t take any resolution.
Seize those opportunities that land on my lap and run with them – I’ve already been interviewed on TV (even though I wanted to back out).
To be a calmer person, no matter what situation I am facing.
Commented on non-giveaway post as Janet W.
http://listen2lena.wpengine.com/2014/01/its-a-wakeupwithturkey-twitter-party.html#comment-350984
To get toned up.
to start going to church.
buy less take out and loose some weight.
Be a better person…whatever form that takes.
I commented on your #ThrowbackThursday #tbt: The Special Occasion post.
My resolution is to finally get the stories that are swimming in my head, written down on paper! :)
My New Years Resolution is get organized! and to learn about blogging and about maintaining my blog.
to be happier and to relax more/worry less!
I would probably treat myself to a day at the spa. After five days without hydro, and an all-around horrible holiday this year due to illness (from not having heat!), I need something NICE.
no resolutions – fewer disappointments. thanks
I didn’t make a resolution but I do want to cut down on my sugar intake
visit my family more often
I commented on your It’s a ROAR! T-REX Cafe in Orlando, Floridapost.
More patience and less snark.
My resolution is to get in shape and make new friends!
once again I will try to eat healthier
Commented on non-giveaway post as Janet W.
http://listen2lena.wpengine.com/2014/01/its-a-roar-t-rex-cafe-in-orlando-florida.html#comment-352437
To be a better me
My resolution is to be a better me in all i do
To drink more water and eat less refined sugar.
My resolution is to remain positive and cancer free, by taking good care of myself and eating right…sometimes I slip but I am on a mission :)
Commented on non-giveaway post as Janet W.
http://listen2lena.wpengine.com/2014/01/new-year-new-car-nissanmicra-twitter-party.html#comment-353284
to be healthier
less time on my phone and more time present
Love the poem, it’s very motivating…just what I need to continue with getting on a healthy lifestyle journey! :-)
To spend more time with my family and create memories and new traditions.
get in shape a little more, lose 5lbs, and be the best mommy/wife/friend I can be!
commented: http://listen2lena.wpengine.com/2013/03/my-brush-with-fame-without-a-makeup-brush.html
Pay off my debt! Or at least a good chunk of it!
To be the best mom possible!
Mine was to eat healthier
I’ve resolved to find a meaningful job I can love myself for doing
Stop smoking
Get healthy!
My resolution was to exercise more..so far so good!
If I made them – it would be to work on my blog at least twice a week.
I’m going to try not to yell at my kids when I get stressed out. Expecting our 3 rd child so my patience is thinning. Lol
To pay off all of my debt!
To stress less and enjoy life more.