My Resolve

I don't do resolutions for the new year. I used to, years ago, because it was the in vogue thing to do. I learned early on what everyone eventually does - resolutions will be broken. It's the heroic few that resolve to do something and actually commit to that for an entire year. I bow to them, but I am not one of them.

That being said, I do contemplate what I would like to have changed from last year, and think about how I should work on that for the coming year. It's only smart to learn from mistakes. Some things that I'd love to accomplish this year include finishing projects that I begin, keeping the house withing the hygienic range, taking more time to play with the kids, and whipping my sorry self back into a shape other than well rounded.

I don't commit to these things, though, because I know me. I know that 365 days is a very long time, and somewhere around day fifty-something-teen I'll lose sight of my goal, and stop. I will tell myself that I'm just taking a break, and that I'll pick up the diet again in a week or so. That I'll play with the kids when school is out. That I'll mop the floor after the rain is over. And that is the beginning of the end.

Instead of making commitments to things that I won't keep, I use the beginning of the new year to work on me. I remind myself that sometimes laying aside the goals simply means I've stumbled. I remind myself that getting back up and finishing the race is what counts, not winning. I remind myself that I'm not doing these things for me, I'm doing them for my family.

I have turned around the way that I look at things because of this new attitude. I relish the days that the kids are in school, because I have time to finish projects and catch up on laundry. I love the days that the kids are home because I get to spend more time with them, laughing and playing.

At the end of the year, what I want is for the kids to say "this was the best year ever!" I'm pretty sure that will come about because their mother chose to see the positive in every situation, and kids model what they see.

I'm not committing to anything, but I'm going to keep trying. It's all I can do.

7 comments:

Annette W. said...

I so agree with you. I see things that need to be changed, but that doesn't mean they will be changed.

In the past week I have noticed how large my stomach is...and, frankly, am surprised no one has asked me about the next baby. I am not pregnant...

And that's just one issue.

Viv said...

That's the spirit! I like this idea.

caramama said...

I love it! What a great perspective you have, as usual.

Kaytabug said...

Seriously/! I love this post! I love your attitude. Thank you for the reminder!

Roger Miller said...

So very well put, and I think I will try to do the same. It's tiring being the "grumpy old man" let me tell ya! Plus, it would just freak the kids out! :)

Anonymous said...

I love this! It really is so easy to get focused on the 'destination' and to forget about the 'journey' . . . it really doesn't matter how you get there, as long as you are putting one foot in front of the other and making the effort. Go, Momma, go!

Michelle said...

Perfect! I love how it's focusing on the positive of that day rather than anything else. That's what *I* need to focus on :)