Resolutions

It's been a while - as my friend Chuck Miller has pointed out more than once.

There's no real reason for my absence. Life is good - great, in fact. I guess I've just let writing and sharing get away from me.

I generally don't like to make "new year" resolutions. I know they work for many, but I am pretty bad at the follow through. For years I have tried to avoid the "eat better, exercise more" resolution trap. It always seems to unravel fast and I end up feeling like a failure, which discourages me to the point where I just stop, and so on and on and on.

But if I were to make resolutions... now would be the right time. So here are few things I may try for 2018:

• Write more - blogs, journal entries, letters
• Read more
• Go somewhere new
• Pray more

Now, if all goes well, you will read more from me next week! Until then - here's to a wonderful 2018!

A jar full

I came across a post from last year in which I wrote a few "goals" (because resolutions never work for me) for 2015. Thought it would be fun to see how I did.

• Get a promotion (check - November 1)

• Earn a new designation (whoops)

• Travel to someplace I haven't been (check - a fun trip to Fenway Park in July and a lovely trip to Maine in August)

• Learn to make something in my crock pot (check - I made Buffalo Chicken Dip and chili for a party a few weeks ago)

• Add to my "Rememberlutions Jar" each day (check - not every day, but it's full)

• Self-publish a book (I started it, then  got distracted)

• Less searching and worrying (check - though this is a work in progress)

• More faith that things will work out on their own (check - also a work in progress)

• Napping - because napping is important (check)

• Make a few mistakes (check)

Make mistakes? I added that to a list of goals? The point was if you're not making mistakes, you're not trying anything new. I was telling myself to not be afraid of new people, places, or experiences, no matter how great the risk might seem.

For years, I've been afraid to trust anyone with my heart. I was afraid to let anyone in, because I'd been so hurt in the past. This was one mistake I wasn't willing to risk.

I thought the only way I'd ever let anyone in my life was on my terms - no compromise, no change. That way, I was in complete control and couldn't be hurt. No risk.

If you'd asked me last December if I was willing to set aside all my rules and deal breakers, let go of my worry, take a huge leap of faith, and let someone in - I would have said no.

But I did - and that one risk has brought more light, joy, happiness, and love to my life than I ever thought possible.

Now I'm looking forward to filling a jar for next year with even better adventures, places, and fun.

Here's to 2016 - and another jar full of mistakes!

Resolve to be nice

OK, so we all know that a lot of people resolve to lose weight, get fit, etc. for New Years. If you go to a gym regularly (or even semi-regularly, like me) you know that means from January to about mid-March, the gym is extra-crowded.

I'll admit - if you're at the gym all the time, I can see why that could be annoying. I mean - you're always there, and you have your routine - and here comes all these annoying people to disrupt your place and your time.

But wait - it's not your gym, right?

Speaking from (ongoing) experience, it's tough enough to get motivated to go to the gym when it's the absolute last thing you want to do. It's even tougher when you know you're going to show up looking so much worse than so many other people - and tougher still when you know those people don't want you there, anyway.

The thing I find most amusing (read: annoying) is the people who complain about the "resolutioners" are often (not always) the same people who put down others for being overweight. Because, you know, all overweight people got that way by being lazy, self-indulgent slobs.

Just so we're all clear - you can't stand people who don't work out, think it means they're all lazy, and you have no problem saying "why don't you just lose weight?" - but you just don't want them doing that in a way that inconveniences you.

I get it - you consider yourself among those who workout hard, take care of yourself, and focus on fitness, and you consider all of that to be a positive way to live your life. I'm not saying you shouldn't be proud of that - I'm just saying, maybe consider sharing some of that positive attitude with those who could use a little encouragement?

I'm not suggesting you jump off your treadmill to make room for someone else, or do a cheer as you walk by someone new lifting weights. But you could keep the scowl to yourself, stick to the time limit for your machine (which, by the way, are always in effect, not just in January), and quit your bitching.

I have an idea - since you've already got this whole fitness thing licked - why not try making "be nicer to others" your New Years Resolution?

I promise, us nice people won't even grumble at you.

On my heart

I am not making resolutions this year - but I am writing a few things on my heart.

Found it here.

- I will not let the problems of others bring me down
- I will thank God each day for all that I have
- I will remember to tell my friends how important they are, and how much I love them
- I will approach each day as though it will be the best day of the year - because it just may be
- I will surround myself only with people who add to my happiness
- I will learn to value myself the way others value me

I see some changes in how I approach my work, relationships, health, and finances in 2013. I know what I need to do, and I plan to do so. If I set a schedule, I know I'll probably fall behind; if I make specific promises, I know I'll probably fall slightly short.

I figure if I approach it by reminding myself of the big things...the little things have a good chance of falling into place.

I will set monthly goals for myself...and do my best to achieve them. I won't be too hard on myself if I don't always get it quite right. There's still next time.

I'm happy to see 2012 go. I was starting to hope it was all an episode of Dallas, and any minute Pam was going to wake up and find Bobby in the shower.

That's not the case, which is fine. I'm going to tuck the lessons and heartaches and triumphs from 2012 in my pocket, and push forward.

I'm ready for 2013. Bring it.