By Carole Marshall

Downstairs in the finished basement of my home is a mixed bag. One portion is a jumble, but open the door to the back room and you’ll find a neat and tidy haven for overnight guests. This orderly area is decorated with many bookcases, all full. Three of them hold self-help, spirituality, enlightenment, personal growth books. I’ve read a number of them, some offering ah ha moments, others not so much.

One thing several of the various authors agree on is the importance of daily affirmations. So, in this new year my resolution plan is simple and familiar. I will recite my affirmations daily.

I wrote a list of inspiring statements years ago and have added a few over time. I start out with good intentions, reciting my positive sayings with conviction every morning. Reading the words, contemplating them has always been an uplifting exercise, but somewhere along the way I slip. Instead of an everyday exercise, the ritual becomes sporadic. My resolve weakens, recitation becomes almost daily, and I become annoyed with the self-created lapse.

In this new year, I begin again. I’ve added some fresh affirming pieces and have put all of them on my cell phone note pad. They’re always with me. Here are a few of my favorites from various scholars and enlightened folks along with my two cents about each of them:

“This is a new day; begin it well and serenely with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense.” I’ve had to ditch a lot of old nonsense.

“Aging is a privilege, a gift. It is a time to forgive your mistakes, acknowledge your authentic self and live with grace and gratitude, humility and humor.” The older I get the more I recognize the privilege and responsibility that comes with good aging.

“Wherever you stand be the soul of that place.” This is pretty deep. For me it requires paying a good deal of attention to my words and actions. “I will continue to show up for myself, even on the hard days.” And yes, there will be hard days.

“I am grateful for this moment, this day, this life. I count my blessings. I have patience with everything that remains unsolved in my heart. My soul knows the answers. I will be quiet enough to hear, wise enough to listen.” Being quiet, turning off the inner dialogue can be a chore.

“Stress makes you believe that everything has to happen right now. Faith helps you see that all things happen with perfect timing.” The practice of patience, having faith, is a freeing exercise.

“May you never be subservient. May you never fall prey to fitting in. May you always swirl in all the directions the sacred winds want to take you. May you never hush your laughter nor your tears. May you breathe without restriction. May you show up every single day to the calling that is you and may you always know the courage of your heart.” Favorite affirming words.

“When you can’t control what’s happening, control how you respond.” A powerful concept worth committing to memory. “Yesterday I was clever so I wanted to change the world, today I am wise, so I am changing myself.” This is a full-time job.

“’Tis mine to be in love with life, And mine to hear the robins sing; ’Tis mine to live apart from strife, And kneel to flowers blossoming.” Beautifully simple.

I’ve started this year well, tapping into these empowering words every day. I remind myself often not to fret over age, but rather focus on being a strong, vibrant, caring person. And should I find myself slipping back to reciting these affirmations almost daily, I have a backup.

Every morning when pup Dusty and I head out to the yard, I take time to appreciate my surroundings. Mingling with towering pines, dewy grass, munching deer and scampering bunnies, I welcome the light with my own words. Thank you for this lovely day that I’ll live with joy and happiness, positive thoughts, and deep gratitude.

Happy New Year from this old girl.

Carole Marshall is a former columnist and feature writer for a national magazine. She’s had stories published in Chicken Soup for the Soul books and has written two novels and one fitness book. She is Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma to some spectacular kiddos.