New Year Resolutions
2009 is over. It’s time to ring in 2010 and all the possibilities it holds. You know, “Out with the old, In with the New!” A fresh start…Sounds great, right?
But what if I sort of want to hold onto 2009 a bit longer…the happiness it held, the joys and special moments. My kids are little and cute and funny and I want to freeze them at this age forever. A new year means they’re getting older, and although I love thinking about what the future holds, it makes me sad to see them (and ME!) grow older. And what about all the things that happened in 2009 that I didn’t even have time to appreciate fully or savor before they vanished. Even the challenges and problems that existed…I almost want to go back and do them better, be more patient, spend more quality time with each of the kids, be more generous, more kind, etc. Maybe I don’t want a new year, maybe I just want another chance at the old one!
But I guess it’s a gift that each year starts anew. Each year we are given the gift of time, and we can choose how we spend it. And when the New Year brings tons of health club advertisements in the mail, commercials selling weight loss supplements, and magazine covers vowing to “finally” get you more organized…it’s easy to get caught up in it and think about all the things you need to do better. Yes…I need to exercise more, lose a few lbs, and be more organized, BLAH BLAH BLAH, but these things are boring and predictable, and none of them feed my soul.
This year I resolve instead to focus on what made me happy and fulfilled in 2009 and resolve to do more of it. I really want to spend more quality one-on-one time with the kids (a real challenge with 3). I really want to work more on my website and all of the things I have planned for it. I really want to give more of myself to others…helping friends by babysitting, making meals for those having tough times, sending notes of hello to older relatives. I want to hang out more with my nieces and nephews 'cause I love them to bits and they’re really cool!
These are the things that make me truly happy as a person. They are worth trying to make more time for. And they are good resolutions worth sticking to. Even if 2010 leaves me an out-of-shape, disorganized mess! J
I couldn't agree more......you know what they say about hindsight?? But, I have to say, I look forward to New Years and the promise it holds. I may not truly complete my goals - exercise to the point I'm happy in my bathing suit next summer or be so organized that there are no jobs left on my to do list, but I enjoy the process. I'm happy making my list of what I want to do, and the hope that I will do everything better in the coming year.
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Well said....thanks so much for your words of encouragement. We can never do it all, but we need to make time for what is important. When we fill ourselves, we are happy.....when we are happy, those around us benefit. So, in 2010....let's strive for happiness even just in our little corner of the world. Just so you know, my kids are always available
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Love this, Caryn! Keep me posted on other writings you do,...Eileen forwarded this to me,...great job summing it all up! Lori Bonitatis Priore
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aaah! so true!! I look at my older daughter and what i was able to do for her and now with the little ones, we're 3 months past their 2 yr old bday and I haven't gotten their picture taken yet. I get that very feeling of "am I truly taking it in?" when I look back on things I did with my older daughter that I don't feel i'm getting the chance to do with the youngers. I like the idea of resolutions that feed your soul however rather than your ego!!!! Happy New Year! This year ahead can be just as good if not better than the last! ps - thanks for the dinner!!! It meant the world and we will never forget the gesture!!
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