2008: I resolve...

OK, so I promised a more in-depth, ruminative entry and beware: I plan to make good on that promise. No short entry here, although not too terrible

If I look back on 2007, I recognize it easily as the busiest, most eventful year of my life. I planned a wedding, got married, bought a house, switched jobs, went on a honeymoon, had one sister pass the NYS bar exam and get engaged, had another move home for the next five months (hopefully), met wonderful new people, gained too much weight, joined a chorus and rediscovered one of the true joys of my life, slowly learned the ins and outs of home ownership, watched too much TV, read some fabulous books, got to know new babies through other blogs, and generally had a good year, I have to say. I truly feel blessed with all that I received this past year--as Ouiser put it so well recently, I may not be Mr. Potter-rich (although I do technically make more money, I have quickly found new ways to spend it), I certainly feel George Bailey-rich. And I consider that more important than cash any day of the week and twice on Sundays.

So, I guess I'll make some resolutions. Mine tend to be broad, more for life than anything else. Want to help me keep them? I'll do the same for you, promise:

- Stay in shape, eat more healthily
- Now that I have an elliptical machine in my house, this will become easier. I swear I will NOT hang clothes on it.
- Read more books, watch less TV
- Ted and I do watch a lot of TV together, but I can rediscover my ability to read under any conditions and stop the mindless TV watching.
- Go more green
- With my fellow bloggers doing this, I think I'll get better, although DH still doesn't like it that I buy organic because it's too expensive. Any advice on this? He has somewhat of a point. Hopefully my eco-friendly sister, E, will help. She's going to have us create a compost
pile, so that's something.
- Work more on keeping up with friends (Keep the blog updated!)
- Take time to sit quietly, think, not rush
- To that end, not procrastinate. I know, those who know me understand that I'm trying to break a lifelong habit, but if I do it a day at a time and not beat myself up, I can do it
- Appreciate myself as a good person who has good qualities and a lot to contribute.
I think, like many of us, I end up as my own worst enemy in a lot of ways, criticizing too much, not learning from my mistakes or simply allowing myself to make mistakes in the first place.
I need to be gentler on myself.

So I think those are not only 2008 resolutions but lifelong ones--but if I take it a day, a month, a year at a time, it seems a lot more doable to me.

Here's to all of you in 2008. May your year be filled with much joy, little sorrow, and the keen ability to discern between the two. As Lois Lowry says, "It is so good to have friends who know that there is a time for laughing and a time for crying, and that sometimes the two are very close togther." I look forward to doing both with all of you in some way this year!