The truth is, the new year really doesn’t actually change anything … it feels the same as all the other nights because it is just like all other nights. When I woke up this morning the laundry was still in the living room, my hair was still brown and curly and the dishwasher still needed to be unloaded! No change there! Yet, we still think of this time as one for change, for setting goals. So, OK. I can be a conformist. Here are some changes I want to occur in my life this year:
1. I would like to change my kids’ attitudes about clothes. Clothes on the floor, clothes stuffed in the closet, clothes heaped in a pile from the days’ wear. I want them to learn that dirty clothes go into the laundry, as do wet towels – not on the floor of their room. I want them to understand that clothes don’t magically appear in their drawers.
2. I would like us to unplug once a month. Is this too much to ask for? For one day each month, I would like to have a conversation with my children looking me with their eyes, not with the top of their head as they are looking down at some electronic device.
3. I want to make it all night without having to get up and use the bathroom. Hey, I know some of you have this same problem!
4. I want movies to stay at 2 hours or less. I just can’t get myself to those 2.5 hour movies (usually because I need to use the bathroom!) and they are coming out of the woodwork.
5. I want to stop swearing (apologies to my assistant who puts up with me). Ok, that’s not going to happen. How about I slow it down a bit? Don’t want to make a change I can’t follow through on!
6. I want a mantra – a word that will be mine for the year. I like sassafras but it means nothing (sounds cool but really doesn’t do anything other than make my kids think I am weird!). Here are some real examples: happiness, courage, strength, generosity, simplicity – any one of these can be yours for the year.
Or, you can be a bit like me – just moving so fast that your ideas all run together. Here’s what I’m thinking: Get to the gym. Eat healthier. Learn. Laugh a lot. Sleep. Relax. Fight with your partner. Forgive each other. Forgive those who hurt you. Ask for forgiveness from those whom you’ve hurt. Talk, really talk, with your kids about the tough stuff – about why people date, why they kiss, why they have sex and why they use drugs. Fall in love (or back in love). Regret nothing. Work because you love doing it. Do for others. Let them do for you. Tell your family how much you love them. Appreciate them. Appreciate you. Love life!
Happy New Year and enjoy the Rose Bowl — I’ll be the one dressed in red!!
theyearof50 