Friday, January 1, 2010

Resolutions

I believe in resolutions.  They are sort of like lists. Once you write them down, they are there reminding you of what you wanted to do.  I don't believe people ever truly fail at keeping their resolutions either.  I think they may not meet the full potential, but almost everyone at least takes a step or two in the right direction, and that's a good thing.

So, while other people may have given up on making resolutions, I make them every year -- I actually write them down and read them from time to time.  And like everyone else, I rationalize when I don't quite measure up.

Last year I had four main goals which I wrote in my private blog/journal for my eyes only.  When I looked back at those today, I realized how well I had done with goals involving 'doing' and not so well with goals related to my own well-being. I completed the house goal which was really three things in itself, cleaning out the garage at last, turning the little bedroom into an office, and the big one now just wrapping up, remodeling the kitchen.  I saw moderate success in my goal to memorize more piano music, and the side benefit was that all that repetition greatly improved my playing.  I did nothing to improve my current relationship.  We plod along just the same, happy together but with no future in it for either of us.  I am content enough in the relationship to feel no urgency to change and will probably continue on until he really does move away.

The big failure was in caring for my own health.  I did fine for six months.  But after Doug died, I went off the deep end in several ways.  I lapsed into some old thinking that it didn't really matter.  I gained some weight, I stopped walking, I lost track of my good eating habits.  Then when I started the kitchen remodel, things got worse.  I felt sort of trapped in my little TV room because of the chaos elsewhere, and I spent too much time on the computer and watching TV.  All along I've been wanting to turn things around, but just couldn't.  But I think the new year and the end of the big kitchen project is a chance to make a change in my life again.

In retrospect, all my successes amount to nothing if I don't take care of myself.  I've reached the age where people start having serious health issues.  I'm fortunate to have none as yet.  If I want to stay healthy, I need to make it a priority.

And that brings me to this year's resolution:  Take care of Becky first.

This year I will make it a priority to take care of my physical, mental, and emotional needs.  That's pretty broad, I know, but I'll add specifics to the plan as I go along.  I'll continue making lists, I know that.  My lists are what drive me to getting things done.  But this year, every list I write, will start with things I will do for myself.  Not in a selfish way, but in a self-concerned way.

Today I started with a little pampering with a long soak in a hot tub enhanced with some lovely minerals from the spa, running the jets for a little while, too.  I rarely take time for such a luxury, and the result today was a relaxed and mellow me.  The day was spent in lovely pursuits and a perfect start to the new year.  I feel optimistic and determined.  I'm ready to launch into another year, come what may.

4 comments:

JBinford-Bell said...

I like the "take care of Becky" resolution.

I spent the day yesterday working on some art, my WOW list (if manna fell from heaven this is what I want to make my life wow) and a "game plan" for business and my life month by month. This year I am going to studiously promote my studio.

I like writing things physically in a pretty journal but the idea of an on line journal nobody can see (secret blog) I find very enticing. Easier to check back up on yourself. I may open on today for my studio/art game plan. Thanks.

Wishing the best of 2010's for you but it sounds like you did accomplish much in 2009 even with the unexpected you had to deal with.

Bekkieann said...

I do like writing in a pretty journal as well, but I have found myself more consistent with my online journal. It does make it easy to look back and review where you've been.

Thanks for your wishes, and I'm wishing you all the best for 2010 as well. As always, we'll take the good and the bad and make the best of it I'm sure.

Intelliblog said...

I also believe in resolutions (and not all of them New Year's resolutions, either. I have often resolved to do things mid0year).

Taking good care of oneself is something that so many people do not do. Unfortunately, it is only if a major issue with health arises that people are shaken into taking better care of themselves. I am glad that you have resolved to take care of Becky first!

I have written a diary for many years and that is certainly for my own eyes only. There many volumes of bound notebooks and they make some revealing and enlightening reading several months or years afterwards...

I wish you a healthy and happy 2010!

Bekkieann said...

Nice to hear from you, Nicholas. Happy New Year to you, too. I always enjoy your comments and your daily Intelliblog posts.