Resolutions

After some thought and revision, I think I'm ready to make my official New Year's Resolutions.

1. Dispense with excuse-making. One of my biggest pet peeves I had when I was a kid - and in high school - was that my Mom would often make up excuses (sometimes annoyingly flimsy ones) for certain behaviors, decisions, etc. Sometimes I'd get in trouble for blurting out the real reason for a family decision to the other parties involved - but it always bugged me that there had to be misleading statements. It seemed like the other party deserved at least the respect of knowing what was going on, and to my child's mind it always seemed like the real reasons weren't such a big deal, anyhow. Now that I understand a lot more about social subtleties, I can appreciate the intent to protect another person's feelings, but I still can't say that I feel that behaving that way is the "right" thing to do. I feel like making excuses is a way to avoid taking responsibility for one's own feelings, decisions, etc - seldom is it really about caring about the other party's feelings. Not only that, but it seldom ever offers a permanent solution to a problem.

I think of all the friends that I've respected the most, and the ones that come to mind are those who never had any problem saying, "Sorry Jenn, I just don't feel like going out tonight" or "Sorry, but I don't really get along with that group of people, so I'll see you another time" or even "Sorry, I don't feel comfortable helping you with that homework because I'm unsure about the line between help and academic dishonesty for that class, and I don't want either of us to get in trouble."

Anyway, that was a long rant. The short of it is, that I really don't think there are any good reasons for using excuses. It bugs me when other people do it, so I'm going to stop.

2. Live a balanced life.

I think I make this resolution every year. This year is different (famous last words!) because I thought about ways I'm going to make it balanced. Stuff includes: working out four days a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday), and making sure I leave a day each week free for myself.

3. Finish that Project (And Start Another)

We all have secret dreams we're afraid to pursue, but I don't want to go through life just wishing and daydreaming. I'm not about to quit my job and throw my whole life off track, but I'm making a conscious effort to make my Dream Project a part of my life every day. I gave myself a deadline. Hopefully that'll work out well for me.

4. Religion

Being a Christian, and particularly being a Catholic, has influenced my life immeasurably. I didn't feel like I gave myself enough time to pursue religious studies and go to Mass last year, and in some ways I've felt the effects of that. I don't want to lose the hope and ideals, and beliefs about humankind and life that go along with my personal religious practice and views. In a lot of ways, making time for religion is a part of balance.