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Be brave and be kind- my 2013 motto

31 December, 2012

Oh crumbs, I have about 12 hours left to fulfill my ONE New Years Resolution of 2012- to charge my electric toothbrush. I know! I’ll do it now instead of writing this! *contemplates getting off sofa to look for toothbrush and charger*  *carries on blogging*

Sometimes when I resolve to do things I am like a stubborn ox, immovable, determined. I have been vegetarian since I was ten and haven’t wavered for one second. I gave up buying new clothes 6 years ago and haven’t been tempted since. And then, in other ways, I am as flighty and undedicated as a sparrow with seven fiances and a helium balloon in its mouth.

If I am not inspired, I just don’t care. When it comes to sticking with normal resolutions (like cleaning my teeth properly and everyday) I just can’t be arsed. (Teeth scmeeth.)

So I am not doing a list of aims this year. Instead I cross stitched this reminder to myself. Something I can see everyday and be prompted to do the kind of things I think are important.Be brave and be kind cross stitch

It’s a line originally from The National’s Baby We’ll Be Fine, and is so simple, but for me sums up a lot of what I think.

“Be brave” because I want to:

  • Parent intuitively and instinctively, instead of by norms
  • Speak the truth and not worry about criticism
  • Face challenging times head on
  • Choose (with my husband) the right paths for our family
  • Give things a bash and not be scared of failure
  • Stand up, and battle, for what I think is right
  • Let go of fear, because it drives out love

    Be brave and be kind crossstich

“Be kind” because:

  • Kindness is love in action
  • A kind gesture is good for everyone’s soul
  • A kind word is eternal
  • Kindness can be small – like connecting with neighbours
  • Kindness can be big- like whole crowds choosing to bank ethically
  • Truth needs to be spoken from a loving motivation
  • Kindness is a value I see each day in my husband and want to copy
  • Kindness is something I want Ramona to treasure
  • Kindness can be a talisman for my parenting – an “Is this kind?” filter

    be brave frame

I stitched it onto one of my beautiful Nana’s doilies and framed it in a charity shop frame painted white, and here it sits atop of some of my favourite thrifted odds and ends.

Have you made any resolutions? Do you have a motto for the year?

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  • kelly 31 December, 2012 at 2:55 pm

    Its so sweet.So is that adorable cubby its sitting on! Cheers! Happy New Year in 2013!

    • Lucy 31 December, 2012 at 7:05 pm

      Thanks Kelly, you have a fab one too xx

  • Nat - Tea, Cake and Make 31 December, 2012 at 9:01 am

    This is lovely and I feel very inspired to make something for my craft room now 🙂

    • Lucy 31 December, 2012 at 7:01 pm

      Nothing does it better than a little cross stich 🙂

  • Sonya Cisco 31 December, 2012 at 9:02 am

    I love that! Brilliant, will keep it in mind too!

    • Lucy 31 December, 2012 at 7:03 pm

      Awesome 🙂 Loved your resolutions too, funny as ever x

  • Umm Yahya 31 December, 2012 at 10:30 am

    I love this! I second this! I will try to copy this! 🙂

    • Lucy 31 December, 2012 at 7:03 pm

      Oi! Find your own! HEHEEE totally kidding I stole it in the first place 🙂 xx

  • Penelope 31 December, 2012 at 2:11 pm

    This is Beautiful Lucy and I agree with all of it and will also be mindful of the “was it kind” filter. Sending love and sprinkles of glitter to you, your hubby and Ramona for 2013 xox Penelope

    • Lucy 31 December, 2012 at 7:04 pm

      Thank you and much love and joyous times for all of you too! xx

  • lally young 31 December, 2012 at 2:46 pm

    So true!!! You only break resolutions anyway!!!! The one I have sounds daft, but its not when you are pennieless on new years eve[after going crazy in the sales!!!]. so I am stopping well okay well partally stopping it. A girl can only have so many clothes, nail polish [I can open my own nail salon], make up and craft goodies. And now it has got silly!!!!!!
    I wouldnt care, I am running out of space! So maybe a stop wouldnt harm me afterall.

    • Lucy 31 December, 2012 at 7:04 pm

      Being penniless is a pretty good motivation, eh? x

  • Jenny F 31 December, 2012 at 3:39 pm

    I *love* this, and have loved all your blogs in 2012. Thank you for everything you have taught me and inspired me to do.

    But I am worried about your teeth.

    Here’s to a great 2013.

  • Lucy 31 December, 2012 at 7:06 pm

    Oh, thank you lovely Jenny!

    PS – Oh, my poor old teeth, 2013 isn’t gonna be any better for them either x

  • Jenna 1 January, 2013 at 11:29 pm

    Happy New Year! Firstly, I would like to thank you and your blog for getting me through the very long marathon breastfeeding sessions late at night over the last year. I don’t know what I would’ve done without them. Secondly, thank you for writing such a fantastic blog. I love everything about it. The crafts are great and always give me brilliant ideas. I love your thrifting ethics. I love your desire for a better world, it inspires me. Your confidence in your parenting instincts gives me the confidence to ignore the “looks” and “comments” and carry on with my love for my children.

    I however have blogged about my resolutions but I have tried to make them practical and realistic (because I know I’m not going to lose weight this year). I also mentioned you in my blog…*ducks and hopes that’s ok* x

    • Lucy 2 January, 2013 at 1:22 pm

      Jenna thank you SO much for your lovely comment! You are TOO much. I love your resolutions post, you write so wonderfully. Wish you all the best for those xxx

  • Vicky 2 January, 2013 at 8:15 pm

    I’ve decided to award you Best Blog Find 2012 – you constantly inspire me, remind me that parenting books are full of tripe, give me the courage to join in and speak out against injustice, and I always know that if nobody else is interested, you’ll love my latest thrifty find.
    I love this idea – I’m not making any resolutions either, and in fact my ’20 by 30′ list has been abandoned a bit (because, it turns out that making a list to work to only leaves you feeling more stressed and panicked. Who knew?!). Instead, I’m going to be making myself two embroideries, inspired by yours. One is going to be ‘Have patience and faith’, because I am literally the worlds most impatient person, and also because I never managed to believe in myself or the universe. The other one is going to be ‘Count your blessings’, because it’s all too easy to forget how lucky you are, I think. I was going to address the massive issue I have in leaving craft projects unfinished, and embroider ‘Follow through’, but then I thought it might give visitors the wrong idea…..
    Looking forward to another year of your fabulous blog! x

  • Sian 4 January, 2013 at 10:39 am

    That has to be the best New Years resolution to make ever! : )

    • Lucy 5 January, 2013 at 10:08 am

      I should keep you posted about how it goes: )

  • Instead of resolutions : 5 ways to build better habits in 2019 - Taking a kinder path 6 January, 2019 at 3:52 am

    […] cross-stitching them into our Nana’s old doilies to make sure we never forget, just like the lovely Lucy […]