Do you ever make New Year’s resolutions? Behavior modification is my hobby and I used to love the end of the year even more than Christmas. I not only made resolutions, for the most part I actually kept them. The secret was to make them so easy that I couldn’t help but succeed. 😉
I haven’t made any in the past few years, though. I love my life right now and any changes I make are little ones, fine tuning. It’s like tending a garden…pulling the weeds and nurturing the flowers.
If I thought things would continue the same I no doubt would pick some big project to work on to add more excitement to my life. But with the current state of the world and with my husband and me getting older, there’s no guarantee that things won’t be turned completely upside down in the next few years. I’ll have plenty of challenges when the time comes. So right now I’m focusing on appreciating what I have while it’s still here.
I hope that doesn’t sound morbid… it doesn’t feel that way. I’ve often seen the idea that people in nursing homes don’t regret the things they’ve done, they regret the things they didn’t do. The conclusion most of the authors come to is that we should we should set challenging goals, ask for more out of life and go for it before it’s too late. I don’t see it that way. I’ve been there and done that. Now it’s time to appreciate.
What about you? Have you set any New’s Year’s resolutions?
My answer is the same as every year.
Nope. Not gonna do it.
I figure, what makes New Year’s so special for making resolutions anyhow? If the thing(s) that one is making resolutions about are that important, any time of the year would be just as appropriate.
The resolutions made at New Year’s just because it’s a New Year — and, supposedly, a fresh start, — are just asking to be broken, in my view. Most of them don’t even make it to the end of February according to report that was on the local news.
Nope. My only resolution is the same old one I make every year — no new resolutions just for the New Year.
.-= Mike Goad´s last blog ..Windows 7, Christmas and a long range project =-.
Mike,
I agree. If you think we’re not going to keep a resolution why bother. It’s just a recipe for beating ourselves up. Why do it? As I said, mine were always so simple I couldn’t help but succeed. They were just fun things.
I’m going to try to do a post a day for a month. I tried it in November but couldn’t keep it up. I’ll see if I can manage it now!
.-= gaelikaa´s last blog ..Just Because It’s New Year’s Day….. =-.
It’s Jan 1 2010 @ 10 AM. I’m watching the Rose Parade.
I like the new number–so clean & even. Am thinking why does a number mean so much to me? I know. It’s neat. That’s my resolution. I will “neaten” up our house.
I’m from West Virginia, but that’s the way they say it in Schenectady NY. I heard a woman from there say “neaten up”. When someone else said that I knew & sure enough she was from there too.
My main resolution is to have FUN, FUN, FUN! Wheeeeeeeee!!!
I don’t do new year’s resolutions. I think it’s because I don’t see calendar time as meaning much. Same as Mike I guess. I tend to think in projects – so I guess embarking on new projects means resolutions. This is the way it works for me.
gaelikaa,
Good luck! Please don’t feel bad if you sometimes miss. Are you going to mention on your blog that you’re trying to do this? If you do you’ll have a lot of us rooting for you. And don’t forget, a post can be as short as one line, or even one word for that matter. Your readers know what you’re going through right now and would be grateful to support you in any way we can.
bikehikebabe,
I don’t use the term “neaten”, I say “unclutter”. One of my resolutions every year was to get more organized. It never worked. When I switched to “unclutter” it was a lot easier because I could do just a little bit and it counted. I think “neaten” would work the same way.
I applaud your goal of having fun! One of mine used to be to laugh out loud at least five times a day. I think of it once in a while and notice I usually do that automatically now. Clearly if we pick the right resolution it’s not that hard to keep it. 😉
Evan,
That’s a good point…not paying that much attention to the calendar. I ignore time as much as possible and am grateful that I don’t have a job or too many appointments. What a drag to have to look at the clock.
It seems to me if we really want to make a change in our life then briefly checking in once a day is a better strategy. I occasionally remind myself of the secret of happiness: “Ask yourself every day, What’s good about my life? What needs to be done? How can I get this done and enjoy the process?” That last one is crucial. If we can find a way to make it enjoyable we have it made.
Many moons ago, I made a new year resolution, not to make new year resolutions and I have stuck to that resolution!
i don’t think I have thought about any resolutions. my life right now is about keeping on top of things, particularily during the academic year.
what got me a thinking about lately was a pal of mine who has a livejournal blog and was talking about what she had achieved or in her case not manage to achieve in the last decade…which got me thinking about my last decade!
it has been a huge ‘rollercoaster ride’ most of it pretty good, but also pretty scary at times…at the beginning of the decade I still very ill with a basket-case diagnosis; then suddenly it all changed and I could plan a future after I had gotten stable, lost weight, got fit…
by the time, we get to the next decade…I have absolutely no idea what I will have achieved other than actually get a BA @ University of Auckland but I am sure whatever, it is ‘plus’ will be great!
.-= cathy in NZ´s last blog ..traditional return to city day! =-.
Rummuser,
I’m stlll doing some of my old resolutions. I’ll write more in my next post.
Cathy,
It sounds as if you’re already doing a lot. When I was going to school it always seemed that the new year started when the school year did. Does it feel that way to you? It sounds as if you’re doing plenty and don’t need to add anything!
today, I went back to the ‘real world’ – grocery shopping, watering plants at my other home and then went even further (before doing groceries) and went into the City. I actually got up to Uni where I bumped into a couple of people who thought I was taking Summer School (I’m not!)
anyway I dropped into Disability dept as they all know I’m having a change of abode – the main man there said “whatever, you are doing now, continue with because you look and sound so happy” and then come back in March and you will be all ready for the New Year!
there are aspects of this holiday that have had me stretched coping but I just decided yesterday that it was just a holiday, it wasn’t where I would live for the rest of the year…so I should enjoy the solitude and stuff…
I bought my digital camera here and I have started with 4 pix taken from the ‘deck’ but in the late afternoon…I will get better ones tomorrow in the light of day, closer to certain things!
.-= cathy in NZ´s last blog ..after 4pm photos =-.
Cathy,
That was great feedback from the “main man”. That must have made you feel good.
Your comment about being stretched coping reminds me of a couple of weeks ago when the power went out over where bikehikebabe lives. I was concerned about the major nuisance for her but she said it was an adventure, like camping. It makes a big difference if it’s just temporary doesn’t it?
I’m looking forward to any pictures you can show us and I’m glad you’re having a good time.