A New Year….filled with bright hope and promise. Like many people, I make New Year’s resolutions. In fact one of my closest friends and I make them and send them to each other to see how well we do. We became friends when we were 15, so you can imagine the resolutions have certainly changed. From passing chemistry, to finding a job, to losing weight, exercising more, eating healthier, I am sure that he has kept most of them, so they will be amusing to read and reflect on what our younger selves deemed as important. We’ve become smarter as we’ve gotten older!
In the past, we have compiled a list of tasks. Often while the resolutions may be lofty, some are also completely unrealistic. These tasks are laden with guilt and unknown inspiration to accomplish them. Not quite an unknown inspiration, rather our perception that by achieving these resolutions, we will have the “perfect “life. Or the perfect life as we think it to be.
This year we are looking at resolutions differently. While we can appreciate that we would like to do more, we are becoming more realistic as to what is resolutions are. Resolutions are not a way to achieve a “perfect” life, but they are a way to see our lives as being perfect, flaws and all. While I may not be able to become fluent in 3 different languages this year, I can see the beauty that is currently all around me. I need to take the time, stop, see it, and appreciate it. Technology is wonderful, but life seems to be moving at warp speed. I have no idea where 2011 went.
This year we want to find the time to include one thing that makes our day seem meaningful or worth-while. We have resolved to stop beating ourselves up for what we should have done and begin to recognize and be thankful for the one thing that we did do. Whether it is being nice to a stranger, calling a friend, trying a new recipe, spending time brushing a pet, even sleeping late and relaxing, it is being able to look back at one thing that you did that you are thankful for and appreciate.
It is to keep growing and learning, and also living life in the now. I am hoping that my New Year’s resolution will make me more conscious of doing things that I care about. You always hear how people near the end of their lives reflect on how they wished they had done things that were more meaningful to them. So here is to 2012. New beginnings. A time to realize that while I can’t change the past, I can be grateful for the lessons that I’ve learned. A time to realize that tomorrow isn’t here yet and spending time trying to anticipate its arrival wastes time today. Today is in my hands, make the most of it! Do the things that have meaning to you!
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