Another New Year 

Each year, millions of Americans set unattainable resolutions for the New Year. They decide to eat right, lose weight, save more money and give to charities. Then at the end of January, they throw in the towel and return to the life they had the year before vowing that they’ll never set a resolution again. But time moves forward and another New Year follows. Once again they enter the vicious cycle of resolutions.

I can proudly say I am one of those Americans who bring in the New Year with resolutions. Sometimes, I can actually reach the goals I set on January 1st and other times I’m tossing them out like everyone else. So this year as I get ready to set my new resolutions, I’ve decided to let you have a peek at last year’s successes and failures.

Go to the Gym three days a week – Although this started out well, it was definitely easier in theory than practice. Between colds and screaming kids who refused to stay at the gym daycare, it has certainly presented some challenges. By summer, I had given up and resigned myself to hanging out at the pool. But when everyone went back to school in the fall, I was able to get back to the gym. Do I get to go three days a week? Some weeks yes and other weeks not even once but I keep trying. 

Lose 12lb or fit into a size 8 – I can actually fit into a size 8 again. Although, my jeans are a little snug right now and my middle is definitely swishy (thanks to the holidays) they do fit. I intend to count this resolution as a success! 

Check off one thing from my “To Do” List everyday – After years of making “To Do” lists and never being able to finish one, I’ve decided that checking off one thing each day works for me. I now keep a running list of things I need to get done (there are currently 47 items on the list) and each day I check one sometimes two off the list. It definitely more manageable that way.  

Get up at 6:30 M-F, 7:30 on weekends – Most of you are wondering why this is even on the list. Well, I am not a morning person. I would rather sleep in than enjoy the morning sunshine. But with children in school, getting up early to make sure everyone is ready on time is a necessity. So, now I’m a morning person just not a pleasant one.   

Find a Church – This sounds like a simple task, but when there are over sixty churches in the surrounding communities it’s a challenge. Add the fact that I’m Catholic and my husband is Methodist and it is almost overwhelming. But after months of searching, we’ve narrowed it down to three. At least we’re making progress. 

Find a Charity – I recently became a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks. Why? Like most civic organizations, the Elks do great things for the local community. They host fun camps for local schools, events for people with special needs, provide scholarships for students and support veteran groups. As for me, it was a great way for my family and I to support the local community. 

Set up a schedule – This is one of those resolutions that didn’t make it past January. The reality of life is that it can’t be scheduled, especially life with children. I still keep a family calendar and a daily chore list but I have come to accept that it requires flexibility. And sometimes things just don’t get done.  

Organize the family photos – I can honestly say that I have managed to organize all the digital photos. Not only are they safely stored, but they are archived by date and event. Now, I just need to figure out what to do with all the photos taken before the purchase of our digital camera. Maybe that’s a project for next year. 

I realize that my resolutions aren’t profound but they are attainable. Last years resolutions were created to help me adjust to a new community and survive my husband’s two deployments to Iraq. As far as this year’s resolutions, they’ll probably be a little simpler. I would like to think of 2007 as “The Year to Smell the Roses”. My new resolutions will focus on enjoying where I am in my life and the thing that is most important to me – family.