105 Ways to Give a Book

The Resolution Thing

So, originally I had in mind the trifecta of resolutions: Exercise Daily, Lose Weight, and Get Organized. Good, strong resolutions, and all areas in which I need improvement. However, when I thought about these goals, I got knots in my stomach. It felt all wrong. New Year’s resolutions should motivate and get you ready to take action, not depress and get you ready to throw up.

I took the weekend to reflect, and sometime between work and door-to-door Girl Scout cookie sales, the ideas pulled together. What I came up with is really half resolution and half mantra, which makes it twice as good.

*** COMMENT, CONNECT, CREATE ***

Comment: When I comment on a blog, I send a little message to the writer that I’m there and I care. I don’t always have something to say, but if a thought pops through my head — “That’s a great list!” or “I’m putting that book on hold now!” or “Really? With a vegetable peeler?” — then I can make time to write it. Even the small comments make our connections stronger.

Connect: Every year I send out dozens of Christmas cards, and I really enjoy doing so. I write a short, hopefully amusing newsletter with highlights and usually pictures, and I feel like, at the very least, I’ve made contact with people who are important to me. But I want to do more. I want to make sure that I am calling or writing or visiting these people during the year, because it’s too easy to put relationships on the back burner. These people aren’t my white rice, they’re my stir-fry and you’ve got to pay attention to stuff in the wok.

Create: I love what I’m doing with my blog, but there’s more I can write. I know it, I feel it, but I have to make time for it. Even more broadly, I want see opportunities to create in music and art and writing, and make it a priority. Hey, there are days I’ve given up showering to write in my blog before work, so I’ve proven that I’m ready to give to the cause of greater art.

Most importantly, none of these resolutions make my throat close up. They make me feel happy, as in Happy New Year! Now I’m ready to begin it.

20 comments:

Jules at 7-Imp said...

Yes, with a vegetable peeler.

I love this post, and I'm with ya on making time for art. My housecleaning suffers big-time from blogging, but aw crap who enjoys that? And we don't live in filth. And I can catch up on whirlwind housecleaning days. Talking about books is way more fun. Art art art. Go for it.

Good for you for resolutions that don't make you want to hurl.

The world is a better place with your blog.


Jules, 7-Imp

Sara said...

"These people aren't my white rice, they're my stir-fry." Hee, hee, I love a good food metaphor!

And I like the mantra/resolution combo. All you need now is the bumper sticker and the t-shirt.

tanita✿davis said...

With a vegetable peeler and a wok. Seriously.

I'm all for things that don't make me feel like I'm going to suffocate before I start. Happy New Year, chica.

Anonymous said...

My life has been better since I realized that since I have been on this earth for 34 years during which I have *never* been organized, organized is not something I am destined to be. I've decided that as long as I'm taking care of my responsibilities, that's good enough.

And, definitely, the people are the important thing.

Don't give up on the year of no plastic spoons thing, though. That was a good one.

Jules at 7-Imp said...

Adrienne,

Really, really organized people kinda scare me.

It makes me sad, for some reason, to see those ads for people who can come organize your garage. Oh holy crap, who cares? Garage? Life is too short.

Jules, 7-Imp

Anonymous said...

That's a good list, MR, and some advice.

Anonymous said...

Sigh. That should be "some good advice."

Anonymous said...

my new year's resolution is to steal your new year's resolutions.

(yoinks!)

Erin said...

Kudos to you. :)

Andromeda Jazmon said...

I like that wok comment. Go 'head girlfriend!

Judy said...

I like your one about commenting on blogs...there are several I check daily, including yours, but I don't often comment...because by the time I get here, someone else has already said it...but I'll work on that.

As far as exercising goes...make it a daily thing...day by day, I mean, so you don't stress over it. I have done that and it seems to be working so far. Even if it is a walk to the corner of your street and back, or walking up a set of stairs instead of taking the elevator...then you can say "good for me--I did something for exercise today." Starting small is really the key, I think...and looking at each LITTLE step as a success.

Really do enjoy your blog...

Judy

Jennie said...

Great resolutions. I'm totally stealing them. :)

Mrs. Johnson said...

Go for it and Happy New Year!

Darcie said...

Love the resolutions!! I especially love your insights about comments!! You are right and I am going to start commenting more too!! Thanks for the insight.

Jen Robinson said...

Just wanted to add that I am frequently reading blogs while my new house cleaners are running the vacuum around the living room. This makes me feel a little weird (since, you know, I don't get paid for reading the blogs, and I am paying them). But mostly I'm ok with it. I'm prioritizing working on my blog because, as with some of you, it's more important to me than personally cleaning my house.

I was just thinking this morning about how the radio in my car has needed fixing for months, and the car could use a wash, and my hair desperately needs to be cut, but I don't have time because I'm spending all my "spare" time on blog-related activities. I remain ok with it. Most of the time, anyway.

So, good luck to you on your resolutions, MR! I think they're brilliant and important, and I look forward to hearing about whatever you decide to create.

Kelly said...

Absolutely wonderful resolutions, MR!!

Here's to a wonderful 2008 :)

Susan Kusel said...

Great resolutions, MR! I resolve to comment more on blogs I read regularly, like this one.
-Susan

Sherry said...

I really like those. Can I steal them? Or do I have to be creative and think up my own?

At least, I'm commenting and connecting, even if the "create" thing is beyond my abilities at this time of day.

laurasalas said...

Well said!

MotherReader said...

Thanks for the love, people. I'm feeling energized and ready to take on the world. Or to take a nap, Whichever.