Used to be, when the new year rolled around, you’d find all kinds of articles in the news about resolutions.
Nowadays, it seems like you see just as many about why we never keep those resolutions.
I started to set my own “usuals” this week: Be more productive with my artwork, get organized, exercise more, eat less.
Then I read those darn downer articles, and wonder why I bother?
The answer came to me last night.
Yes, it’s hard to maintain those good intentions.
But I love the place of hope they come from.
This year I’m going to enthusiastically make those same ol’ resolutions, with some new additions.
I’m considering the lessons of my hospice training, and thinking about the difference between “curing” and “healing”. Between “fixing” and “truly listening.”
I’m going to take my passions–riding, martial arts, tai chi and yoga–and dig in a little deeper. I may restart a little chubbier than usual, but I know I’ll feel better for simply showing up and trying.
I’m positioning my artwork right where it belongs–as something I do for myself, and then share with the world. With no regrets and no measuring. It will go where it will, perhaps only a small pebble in a very big ocean. But even a small pebble makes ripples. I may not be able to see where they go, but I know they are there.
I intend to write something every day. Not all of it will be earth-shattering or special. But I want to make writing as daily a habit as…..cream in my coffee.
I will NOT give up cream in my coffee. Maybe in 2011…..?
Oh, and to remember to be grateful for what I have and for all the people in my life. All of ’em, even the highly annoying ones, bless ’em. I have something to learn from them all. And…grateful to just be here.
Some of these intentions will stick. Most probably won’t. I get that.
But I won’t give up on myself.
I kinda like the fact that I still believe I could be a better artist, a more successful biz owner, a kinder, healthier person, a better friend, if I try.
What do YOU resolve in 2010?
Luann Udell 
My only resolutions for 2010: to be kindly to myself and others, and in the coming year, to focus on bringing my handicraft to every single day.
My entire post about my words for the year-to-come is here:
http://artisanry.blogspot.com/2009/12/year-in-words-and-words-for-new-year.html
LikeLike
My resolution was to take my time creating my resolutions. I didn’t want the “panic” to set in when December 31st was looming on the horizon. So my deliberate intent and resolution is to take the whole month of January and boil all my nebulous resolutions down to two and then focus on them the rest of the year.
LikeLike
Absolutely love this post! This is exactly how I approached the new year, with hope and a healthy anticipation of all things to come. I also noticed I have worded my resolutions differently. Instead of the omnipresent “Get fit and lose weight”, it’s “Lose one pound at a time.” This feels much more manageable and reassures me I can come closer to my goals by the end of the year.
LikeLike
I decided that my resolution was to do *something* for the business every day. NO matter how small–whether making a bag strap, or spinning, or knitting a pouch, or something.
Also, over spring break we’re going to move the loom out of the studio downstairs with the spiders in it, up to the office (I can’t BELIEVE my DH went along with this!) where I can work on it oftener and more easily.
LikeLike
My husband and I do what we call an “intention scroll” for every new year. We sit down together and write as many wishes, dreams, intentions, hopes as will come to us, on little pieces of paper.Once we “drained” all our intentions out of us we glue them on a long ribbon, role and tie it up and place it above our door. It’s our personal ritual to rekindle our basin of hope, strength and action.
I really appreciate the beauty of being aware of my own wishes because it offers me the opportunity to actually work towards fulfilling them.
LikeLike
I make a list every year and post it on my fridge. Then I mark things off and revise as I go. There are small things like read 25 books to larger things like get 30 minutes cardio every day. This year I started early with my biggest goal (I’m like that word better than resolution) to date: No more processed food, packaged food, white flour or white sugar. Only whole foods in this body and if that wasn’t enough, I began eating organic fruits and vegetables. I started December 6th, and so far, so good. Even lost 5 lbs. đŸ™‚ I cheated a little on the exercise, I have a Wii and get games that keep me moving!
Good luck with the resolutions and remember, once you put your goals down on paper, you are that much more apt to reach them!
LikeLike
I’m focusing on kindness as a theme. I think I’m at the point where I can usually have boundaries and also be kind. That’s the theory anyway.
I still have regrets of unkind things I said when a young teen. I don’t want to have more regrets as an adult. Kindness, whenever I can muster it.
I have worked w/ and around some very powerful people in different jobs. Seems the most powerful don’t throw it around, they observe, speak when they really have something to say, and do it with as much neutrality as possible, even when the subject is uncomfortable. I aspire to that delivery.
Happy new year to you and your loved ones.
LikeLike