Here we go again for the first time. 2019. Decided to get a jump on my seventy-third spin of the wheel. But then I didn’t.
A couple of years ago, I used a New Year’s piece from four years earlier. Title was Self-Promises. And I Mean It This Time.
And I am sure I did.
Meant to do a piece about new year’s resolutions, but never got around to it. Found this from 2012 and find myself pleasantly surprised.
Basically accomplished all, except for the clean office. I may just not be that guy. But I will keep trying. I will.
I really will.
This could be the year. Which, if I did my math right, is six years later. Six years is a shitload of time.
Or it’s just a blink. – JDW
Whenever I hear someone say, “Happy New Year!”, I can’t help wondering, what are the chances? – Barker Ajax
To be completely honest, I have already bungled my first resolution, i.e., ESCHEW PROCRASTINATION. But let me explain: I realized procrastination is only a problem if you are wasting time because you are afraid to do something which might be difficult or painful. I haven’t done that…I have just found other activities which I preferred. My wife, my dogs, my scribbling and noodling. My morning walk. That’s my story and I am sticking to it.
If you value your freedom, make sure you don’t lock yourself up.
CLEAN AND ORGANIZE MY OFFICE. This coincides with another resolution which is to GET RID OF SOME STUFF. Less is more has become something of a cliche but like so many cliches less is more is true.
With less you have more space to move, with less you have more freedom to grow, with less you have fewer places to search for what you need. Less is simpler, not as confusing. There is reduced responsibility with less mess, less stuff.
GET WEIGHT UNDER 190 POUNDS. I am 6’3″ tall and my wife has stated I need not lose any more weight. But I feel better when I am lighter, physically and psychically. Lean and lanky. I feel more capable. Agile. More dangerous even.
[I weigh 175 today. Exactly what I weighed when I got here over twenty-two years ago. – ed.]
AVOID NEGATIVITY, THINK POSITIVELY. I already do this but there is great value in continually reminding oneself. There are few better ways to enhance your life than by reaffirming your many blessings. Especially during a recession, during a Presidential campaign, especially after Black Friday, especially every day.
LEARN HOW TO USE MY TECH EQUIPMENT. I have a new phone, a Smartphone, so much more intelligent than am I.
It’s a iPhone3, two generations old. Cost me 96 cents & a contract, which I always have anyway. I went with the older model because by the time I learn to use it, the two years will be up and I can get an iPhone16 or whatever for less than a buck. Turned out to be completely true, I can say now, which was then. [Now I have for three years, a Samsung5s, or whatever, which seems to be running out of gas. Literally. – ed.]
I can only hope my left-handed blonde dyslexic genius tech-savvy bride does not pass away before I do; who will download my free audible books?
SCHEDULE MY DAY. STAY ON SCHEDULE. Like my office, like my closet, my day can quickly become cluttered. The key, of course, is simply to remain aware of your activities. Is what you are doing now – right this instant – moving you forward to your goal(s)?
But don’t forget to take a nap, if that’s the best move to make.
[I can’t nap. Not old enough yet, I guess. And to be honest, I don’t schedule. Just do the same things in the same order on a daily basis.- ed.]
Speaking of moving…
EXERCISE DAILY. As a general rule, the foundation of a happy life is good health. (As with any rule, there are exceptions but I hesitate becoming one such example.) You will look better, you will feel better. You will have better sex, play better poker, be a better parent, be a better partner, the list goes on and on.
BE MORE FORGIVING. Of yourself and Others. Forgiveness is positivity. Forgiveness is strength. Forgiveness is looking forward. Forgiveness builds.
STUDY GREATNESS. Absorb the lessons where possible. This morning’s lesson from a Bud Greenspan film: It’s not the results which are important, it’s the commitment to make every effort to do your absolute best. You just want to be better today than you were yesterday.
There are more resolutions. But I will hold those close. I may be old but there is still much time ahead. This is my moment, this is my time.
It’s yours, too.
Too soon to give up, too late not to improve.
Then there’s this from 2011: Bottom line. I need to remind myself what I remind others – Be Your Own Hero.
Think that way. Live that way. Stay that way.
[Be that way. – ed.]