My New Year's Resolutions, Or Suggestions, Whatever Makes Me More Likely to Follow Through

Last year I had one resolution: to recover from the attack of postpartum depression/anxiety that swallowed me up in the latter part of 2006. I could go on about how I emerged from the pit, and in fact I fully intend to write up that story, but it deserves—no, demands—its own post. So I guess I should add writing about that experience to my list of things to do in 2008.

This year, I am more ambitious since I am feeling so much happier and more energetic. However, my resolutions are a little different than in years past. As far as being a better person, I know what I need to do in that direction and I will just keep keeping on, trying to be a better wife, mother, and friend. I know what my strengths and weaknesses are in relationships and I have gotten better at refraining from inflicting my weaknesses on those I love. So it’s not that I don’t need to work on my relationships; it’s just that I need to keep practicing what I have learned in the past few years.

Here are two things I intend to keep doing in 2008 that have been helpful in 2007:

• Reading the Bible daily. I am using The Message: Remix and it has made a huge difference in my desire to read Scripture. Even though I’m currently at the spot that I’ve gotten bogged down in the past (the book of Jeremiah), it’s much easier to understand (and therefore more interesting) in the Message version.
• Exercising 3-4 times a week. Soon with an iPod! I’m so excited. I do need to keep pushing myself physically instead of coasting, though, or I won’t see results. I also really should go back to tracking what goes into my mouth because my thighs stay chubby unless I STOP EATING WHATEVER I WANT. Who knew? I'm still surprised I can't eat like I'm 16.

Here’s what else I’ve been reflecting on—things I want to do in the new year.

• Learn to make homemade stock: chicken, beef, and veal.
• Read at least one book that requires Serious Mental Effort and goes outside my intellectual comfort zone every month. (I know I already read a lot, but I need to push myself in this area, too, by reading about topics I normally might not.)
• Make music an important part of my life again, with the help of the iPod, of course.
• Write every single day, even if it’s one sentence about that day or a thought I had.
• Now that I’m basically caught up with my scrapbooking, scrap more “slice of life” type things that capture how we live now, rather than the same holidays every year.
• Spend more time in prayer and quiet time with God.
• Serve a few meals on my wedding china, which has been used only once or twice since we got it over ten years ago. (Mr. Blue might still get a plastic plate, though. He likes to hand me his plate when he's done: "Heah, Mama" while it tilts dangerously.
  

Happy New Year to you and yours! Here's to enjoying life more, living in the moment, choosing not to fret and worry, but to be grateful for all the blessings we have been given.