The 'woman' in the mirror

image via

For some, the start of a new year brings new beginnings, dreams and direction.  For me, I use to have massive personal goals when I was competing and loved ticking them off each year.  These days I tend to find new challenges within each day to deal with.  Kids tend to do that.  It is a learning process, and being the Piscean that I am I tend to swim with the tide and cross the channels when I come to them. 

I do however dedicate 2012 to being a year to 'flourish'. 

We have shut shop with babies, two is enough and now my youngest is 16 months old, it's time to regain some of that old "Karla" back and reignite some passions.  After suffering PND after my first child and then to a degree with my second, the foggy cloud is lifting and I am welcoming the feeling of not having to ride that rocky road again.

And it is not only me that I use the word 'flourish' with but also my girls....which, in the end, is a by- product of my actions. To be the best person I can be each day, to lead by example and be an inspiration to them.

My former fitness coach once gave me a poem called 'The man in the mirror" to read each day to reflect on.  It's still something that is so ingrained in me that I find myself subconsciously referring to from time to time. So, on this 1st day of January 2012, I leave you with these words, to take you into the new year and be the best that you can be!

When you get all you want and you struggle for pelf,

and the world makes you king for a day,

then go to the mirror and look at yourself

and see what that man has to say.

For it isn't your mother, your father or wife

whose judgment upon you must pass,

but the man, whose verdict counts most in your life

is the one staring back from the glass.

He's the fellow to please,

never mind all the rest.

For he's with you right to the end,

and you've passed your most difficult test

if the man in the glass is your friend.

You may be like Jack Horner and "chisel" a plum,

And think you're a wonderful guy,

But the man in the glass says you're only a bum

If you can't look him straight in the eye.

You can fool the whole world,

down the highway of years,

and take pats on the back as you pass.

But your final reward will be heartache and tears

if you've cheated the man in the glass.