Happy New Year! It's a Sweet 16 year, y'all. This millennium can drive now! Really, if this year was a teenager, this year would be a sophomore in high school. No longer the baby of the bunch, but not completely wise to the ways of the hallway. Not looked down on because of youth, but not looked up to for wisdom. This Sweet 16 year is somewhere in the middle. Maybe going on a first date. Maybe getting a first kiss. Oh! The possibilities for the next 365 days!
As we go into this New Year, I'm going to try and look at it with a new and youthful outlook. I'm going to set my goals with the innocence and bewilderment that I can reach those goals
and change the world (or at least make a positive impact on my part of the world). I will look forward to new experiences with the excitement and giddy anticipation of a first kiss. I will learn to steer my way through obstacles, put on the brakes when I need to, stop and change the flat when the plan breaks down and event put on the hazard lights if I need help. I will celebrate this Sweet 16 with all the passion, enthusiasm and zeal I can muster.
To get this year going, yes, I'm making some resolutions, more or less...
- Less Facebook - more face in books
- I've slacked off actual reading for a little while. I'm ashamed to say my 'once upon a time' has been replaced with 'what's on your mind,' and I certainly don't feel any smarter because of it. I've been a voyeur into the lives of my family, friends, colleagues, schoolmates and even strangers(!) for the past few years. I'm not leaving social media completely, but I'm definitely going to cut back. So, don't be surprised if, when I see you, I ask you to tell me a story about what's been going on in your life. Less Facebook.
- I picked up an actual magazine and read it cover to cover the other day, and it reminded me how much I love paper! I love books and magazines and newspapers. I really like my Kindle and enjoy the fact that I can have a hundred books in my hand at all times on my iPhone with my Kindle app, but nothing can replace the feel and the smell of actual paper. More books.
- Less running around - more running
- I am constantly on the go, and I really do love most of it. I love my job, my volunteerism, my industry organizations and my social calendar. Sometimes, though, all those things add up at once to make a very busy life, and it just makes me weary. And, it makes me think I don't have time for exercise. I'm going to be more diligent about blank spaces on my calendar this year. Less running around.
- Last year, I completely neglected my health and well-being, and I'm not going to continue that pattern this year. I know I can run five thousand meters! I've done it before, and more than a few times. So, I'm lacing up my sneakers and hitting the road. I'll be ready for another 5K in a month or so. Who knows, maybe a 10K by the end of spring. More running.
- Less TV - more writing
- Hi, I'm Mary Ellen, and I'm a TV-aholic. There, I said it. I watch too much TV. Now, don't get the wrong idea. I can quit any time. In fact, I haven't even turned on the TV yet today, and it's already nearly noon. I can go all day without it, really. I can. Oh! But if it's on, I'm going to watch it. I'll sit in my chair and watch whatever is playing. The Voice, Chicago Fire, Nashville, Castle. The Big Bang Theory, The New Girl, Modern Family, Black-ish. Football, basketball, baseball, hockey (really, hockey!). Cooking shows, home make-over shows, car shows, dog shows. It doesn't even have to be good. In a restaurant, if there's a TV nearby, I'll catch myself sneaking peeks at it. Spending time with friends, I'll get distracted by it. I've even fallen asleep watching TV - the horror! This is the year I cut back. Less TV.
- I love to write, and I consider myself to be fairly good at it. I really enjoy this blog, but I feel I've abandoned it over the last year. Why? Because I watch too much TV! I still have all these thoughts and ideas rolling around in my head, so I'm going to make a better effort to write them down. More writing.
- Less complaining - more gratitude
- I don't spend a whole lot of time complaining, but I still do my fair share. Sometimes, when recapping an event I catch myself telling the most negative story first. Everything we do has a best moment and a worst moment, so I want to start making sure my first story is about the best moment. Less complaining.
- Most of us, in November, participate in some form of thanks-giving throughout the month. Whether it's just on Thanksgiving day, or it's being thankful for something every day of the month, we try to share our gratitude. I started on December 1 making a conscious effort to photo-document something that made me smile that day. I even created a new Instagram account, happymetx, so I can look back later at the touching, funny, silly, poignant and heartfelt things that move me. There are so very many things for which I am grateful, and I don't want to take them for granted. More gratitude.
- Just a few more...
I'm going into this Sweet 16 year with wide eyes and an open heart. With a plan, more or less, to make even the slightest difference. I pray for peace and comfort, for health and well-being, and for abundance and prosperity for each of you. May this be your best year ever!
Much love and Happy New Year!
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