A New Start

The tradition of creating an annual blueprint for self-improvement is a good one… aka, a New Year’s resolution list. Another chance, a clean slate, an undo of past transgressions. A new beginning.

There’s nothing wrong with trying harder to improve my many personal shortcomings, as long as I don’t become too disappointed when, not if, I fall short.  But an honest attempt is a good start.  In past years, my resolutions have been vague and unwritten, but since I now have a place for it, here goes.  

1. Eat healthier.  This is not my unique resolution.  I think I’ll take a drive past the local Weight Watcher’s storefront later this month.  Yes, it is usually me behind that plate glass window every January.  I probably will not join formally this year but just go back to the do-it-yourself version, weighing myself every week and cheering for myself when I shed a quarter of a pound.  I have a couple more days to make up my mind.  Meanwhile, out tonight for a last night of untrackable calories.
2. Get serious about exercise.  For me this means “no excuses.”  Just do it – a prescribed three to four times a week, no matter what and no matter how much I hate it.  I will have to come up with some better, more enjoyable ways to accomplish this.  The wii Fitness isn’t too bad but I am really not at all convinced of its effectiveness.  Guess it’s better than nothing.  But, at my fitness disposal, I have readily available: a treadmill, an elliptical, a Total Gym (in the past, all of these contraptions have been very suitable for use as a hanger for the next day’s wardrobe selection), two local parks with walking trails and the streets of a picturesque suburban neighborhood. I do like to walk the dog after Joey leaves for work in the morning.  No more excuses.  Get cracking…well, on Monday.
3. Continue to work with Dreamweaver (Adobe’s web design program) to the point of competency.  I was making satisfactory progress with this complicated program last summer, but when I thought I was getting my old job back, I abandoned my efforts, then I was too depressed when I found out that I wasn’t going back to work for Bunkline. And when I got happy again I got caught up in the holidays and all the related festive details.  I know that this is a valuable skill that will increase my marketability and now I actually can’t wait to start back on Dreamweaver because Santa gave me a beautiful 27” flat panel monitor for Christmas.  Thank you, Santa J.
4. Patience.  Needs some work.  Patience with my mother…when she forgets things, when she can’t summon the words, when she takes so long to get from point A to point B.  I try not to say anything to her, I just keep smiling, but inside sometimes I want to scream and propel her along at a normal physical walking pace. Patience with my husband, although he is not always a shinning example of tolerance and serenity.  And definitely with the kids – Joey with the food issues and the dressing and autistic bathroom rituals.  Patience.
5. Get out of my comfort zone… because that’s how we grow.  Last year, this meager blog attempt pushed me way out there and I want to be sure to recognize the next step in my uncharted territory of pushing the limits of often too-cozy boundaries.

Five is a good number – realistic and attainable.

Happy New Year!