A New Year's Aversion…

After a fun-filled week of celebrating, we’re home again. (I’ll post some pictures tomorrow when I have the desire to upload and sort through them all.)  Christmas is packed away for another year, the kids are stocked up with fun for another year, and I’m sitting here conflicted.  Yes. Conflicted.

I know I should conjure up some goals for the year.  But I have an aversion to making “New Years Resolutions”.  It’s a lot like “Budgeting”.  I draw up goals and a plan of attack with great intentions at the beginning of the year, and then never look back at the plan again.  When January rolls around again, I fish out the resolutions and the budget and realize how miserably I failed at both.  Know what I mean?

So why not just skip it?  Well, I was raised by highly organized parents who drilled it into me that “every year we should set some goals so we can improve ourselves”.   Don’t get me wrong, they were stellar examples of this exercise.  I think they really enjoyed it.  And they were great at it.  But by some genetic mutational hiccup, the organizing gene skipped right over me without even a glance in my general direction.

Miraculously I saved my list from last year, only because January 1, 2008 was the day I first started this blog and I documented it for both of my readers to enjoy.  So, since this is one of my least favorite exercises, I’m roping you, my seven faithful readers, in with me.  Here’s last year’s well-intentioned list:

1. Eat healthier. Cut down on carbs, sugar, and processed foods.

Imagine a mountain.  I rose to the top to look haute for my 20 year reunion, and then took the fast track down the other side.  This is a repeater.

2. Stop procrastinating. (Makes the list every year)

I’m inching my way along with this one.  Since it’s a favorite, let’s keep it.

3. Take more pictures.

YESSSS!  One I can check off.  Just one more reason to keep blogging.

4. Take classes for myself. (I start oil painting tomorrow night!)

Oh, I’m on a roll!  Loved my painting class!

5. Cut down on sarcasm. (That’s a tough one)

Do I really have to lose this one completely?  I’m taking it off because I improved and that’s all I’m willing to do right now. (Did I just hear something about vices?)

6. Be more organized. (Again, a regular on the list)

Need I say more?  Another repeater.

7. Provide more service.

YESSS!  I’ve done well this year but I’ll keep it.  You can never provide too much service.  (Unless it involves constructive criticism and your husband)

8. Read my scriptures on a regular basis.

I really failed on this one.  (I better add to it, “regular repentance”.)  Anyone have ideas on enjoying this one?

9. Enjoy my kids more.

Now that the kids are in school again, I love on them and appreciate them so much more when they’re home.

10. Read more for enjoyment.

YESSS!  I’ve discovered some of my favorite books this year.  I LOVE to read!  What’s high def when you’ve got a great book?

I actually did better than I thought.  EXHALE…

Maybe my list is too long.  Since I have 5 leftovers, I’ll add a couple more and call this exercise DONE for another year.

• Awaken the inner crafter in me (Assuming there is one)
• Compliment others more, especially my family
• Take better pictures
  

That’s it!  And this year I’m printing off my list on an actual piece of paper and duct taping it to the fridge right next to the… (a squinty-eyed wince)… BUDGET  (blechhhh!)

Happy New Year!