“A New Year’s resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other.” (Unknown)

So,…do you make New Year’s resolutions?

Christmas is over, and the holidays are waning now. For me, the New Year is certainly a time for reflection, for taking stock, and for evaluating what I like about the life I'm living, and what I can do to keep this crazy journey I’m on as pleasant as possible.

I do set goals for things I’d like to accomplish, all the time…just not necessarily at the beginning of a New Year. I constantly make mental lists of things I want to do, but I also sort of enjoy the detours life tends to throw at me, and the serendipitous opportunities that sometimes arise as a result of them. I have goals ranging from the simple and ordinary, to far-reaching dreams. We all do, I suppose.

Mostly, I find, the older I get, I just want to focus on doing those things that make me happiest. I want to set goals that are general and ongoing. Life is hard enough as it is, and I want to minimize the stresses in life. I want to stay healthy. Part of taking stock is realizing how fortunate I am living the life I am, and recognizing that I’ve had a pretty interesting life so far! I've much to be grateful for.

In the not-too-distant future, however, I do want to:

-Sew new curtains for our room upstairs. (I’ve already bought the fabric, and have a general notion of how I’m going to make them. I like to let creativity strike as it may. Now, it’s a question of finding the time.)

-Travel somewhere I’ve never been. But not for work.

-Use my new glass dip pens and inks more.

-Read good books, see good theatre, listen to good music, and enjoy good art. Let's face it; it's just good for the soul.

-Keep organizing closets and drawers and attic spaces. (When it's done, that's good for the soul, too. Trust me in this.)

-Sock some money away when I can.

-Try some new recipes.

-See my family as often as possible.

-Surround myself with interesting friends and people in general.

-Start painting larger…

-Start painting less cautiously…

-Start painting more creatively…

-Start painting, period!!

"Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man." (~Benjamin Franklin)

Happy New Year, everyone! And here's hoping we may all be better this year!
Cin Cin!