2008

Every year, I avoid making New Year's Resolutions for the following reasons:

1. Why do we have to wait until January 1 to make changes?

2. As a Catholic, all my energy in sustaining from things has to be saved up for Lent, which is just around the corner.

3. I don't like to admit that I failed!

This time of year is always intriguing to me. You can't watch 5 minutes of TV without seeing some sort of commercial promising a figure like Jessica Simpson or Brad Pitt in a matter of weeks. Note - we're part of the 3% left in the country who still does not have a Tivo, so, if you can't remember what a commercial is (Shannon), it's a small bit on TV selling things.

The gyms are packed. Good produce is always hard to find because people are buying up healthy food like their life depended on it. (Even though, it really kind of does, if you think about it.) Churches are fuller due to everyone still glowing from Christmas mass and hoping that spirit will convince them to carry on, making worship a weekly committment.

Don't get me wrong. I admire these goals and changes and in a milder form, I try to improve my life as well at this time. However, I'd like to think that I try year round and not just because it seems like "the thing to do."

With this in mind, I did some research on what people are aiming for and the list is not surprising.

In furthering my research, I found this article, which is from November 2006. It has such great ideas. Each of the resolution suggestions is focused on giving back to the community and on other people in general. For example, it recommends making a list of 52 people that mean something to you and then sending one card a week thanking each person for the impact he or she has on your life. I love it! Now, I'm not going to do it, so don't worry if you don't receive a card. I still love you. Just can't see myself sticking to it.

What I am going to do is wish you luck in your ventures, support you in your goals, and quietly try to take off these last 15 pounds of baby weight, but I refuse to call it a resolution!