New Years resolutions are for assholes. They are borne out of guilt; guilt over something you did or didn’t do that you would like to improve upon in the coming year. Maybe you’re a gossip, maybe you steal things from work, or maybe you pick your nose in public — whatever. Everyone has room for improvement, and a little healthy guilt over some of these things is a great way to better yourself. Heck, if prizes were given out based on guilt, I’d win the trophy! But what I don’t like about this annual ritual is that the minute you make one, you’ve already set yourself up to fail. Good intentions and temporary enthusiasm give way to old habits, and you’re back where you started: feeling guilty and promising yourself that you’ll do better next time. God, I sound bitter!
Bitterness aside, there are a few things that I will be working on this year and probably years to come. Frankly, I don’t like making promises I can’t keep (and I don’t want to be labeled an asshole), so that’s why I’m not calling them resolutions. First, I’d like to get rid of a lot of stuff I have floating around; useless crap that clutters my home and my mind. It needs to go away. Forever. Next, I’d like to be a more charitable person. I consider myself very lucky for the luxuries that Mike and I can afford, and I’d like to share some of my wealth with those less fortunate. We currently give a little, but we can afford more. Next, I have to be more active. I am a sedentary slug, but I can’t keep that up any longer. I don’t like how flabby I’ve become, but I abhor exercise, so therein lies the problem. Plus, I have hereditary heart disease to worry about. This has been and will be an ongoing struggle. As a dovetail to that, I need to stop making excuses for being lazy. I often find myself procrastinating, even when there are things I’d like to do, such as sewing or reading. So there you have it — my short list of self-improvement; and if I catch you calling them resolutions, I’ll kick you in the kneecaps!
I am pretty sure I won’t be able to accomplish all my goals in a year. But I’m totally OK with that, because I am a work-in-progress, and I refuse to make myself feel terrible for not being perfect. I really believe it’s the approach you make to self-improvement that counts. You can’t just pound your fist on the table and proclaim your intention to lose 20 pounds this year without thinking the whole thing through. What will it take for me to accomplish my goal, and am I willing to make the sacrifices or changes that are needed? If you are willing, then don’t berate yourself if you happen fall short; it happens to the best of us.
Happy New Year! May 2009 bring you peace and contentment — whatever your personal goals may be.
