New Year's Rationalizations

So. I came to the decision today that I am going to treat my New Year's resolutions more like the stock market and less like a dance marathon. To wit: I am hoping to just finish the year in a better position than where I started, rather than disqualifying myself altogether if I fall down once.

Yes, I realize that this is rationalizing my inevitable breaking of resolutions.

And yes: I've broken a boatload of them already.

But hear me out: There were 23 of them to start with. I've been keeping some of them, like #1, "Begin each morning with prayer." Although sprawling across the bed with one arm flung across my face, moaning, "God, please don't let disaster come crashing down on us today," as I reach for the snooz button with my free hand, was not exactly what I had intended when I wrote that one.

I've been doing a little better with #12, "Encourage and support kids in reading daily," if you are willing to count my vivid depiction of the future of the child who doesn't read as a bagger at Kroger, carrying groceries out to the BMWs and Jaguars of his former classmates.

Number 23 was "Blog at least one time per week." So what if it took me almost the entire first week of the year to do this blog post? (And don't ask about #2, "Write for at least 20 minutes every day. There's a reason that one's called "#2.") I haven't even approached #9, "Get and keep bedroom clean and uncluttered."

I tried to make a start on #22, "Give blood at least four times," but the nurse at the Red Cross said my hemoglobin was too low. The receptionist at the front desk offered to give me a sticker that said, "I tried."

The ship has already sailed on #14, "Send thank-you notes within a week of receiving gifts," although technically Christmas was last year, so the thank-you notes I've failed to write as yet for those gifts shouldn't count against this year's resolutions, should they?

It's too early for #20, "Plant and tend a vegetable garden." Hoping to accomplish #21, "Get a job," in one week would be optimistic to the point of foolishness.

Only one resolution have I followed scrupulously, every day: #15, "Speak up when I think I'm right about something."

I think it's going to be a great year.

Comments

[Salome Ellen]

Gosh I hope you can keep #23! It'll make my life more fun ;-D

[Cherie]

Yeah, I'm really rooting for #23 too.

[Alison]

Just the fact that you're keeping up with your resolutions puts you ahead of the game.

I look forward to weekly blog posts from you, too!

[Missie]

Good girl! I was afraid one of your resolutions was to "become shy and retiring".

[Erika]

Ooh! #23! I am excited! :)

[Caroline]

I love your prayer. I may use that tomorrow morning.