A New Year = A Time for Reflection

I've procrastinated listing my New Year's resolutions far longer than usual. I'm sure it has something to do with the same reason I procrastinated getting a sticker for my car, buying Christmas presents, making New Year's resolutions, etc... - because my life is still in flux.

However, it's now Jan. 1 and it's time. But before I do that, I did spend some time reflecting on 2007. Actually, before I could really do that, C talked to me about it this morning after going through my year's worth of blog entries. It was a pretty good year. A momentous year, a year where we thought we'd have challenges but instead easily coasted without incident. And while the end of 2007 definitely had some challenges (moving to temporary housing after selling our house, losing my other grandmother, still looking for a new home, Nana falling and ending up in rehab and her future still up in the air), overall it was a pretty good year.

My job is still amazing, although I'll still hold firm that I'm grossly underpaid (though paid much more than I was when I was in the newspaper business), my friends (old and new) are still the best people anyone could ever have in their lives. C is more than I could have ever imagined in a partner. My family is wonderful and healthy, supportive and a ton of fun. 2007 also brought a whole other person into my family's life - a toddler version of what was once Baby Anthony. He's talkative, interested, hysterical, a pure joy and honestly the happiest little guy I have ever had the honor of knowing.

Now a new year is upon me. A year full of more joy from my family, C and my nephew, who will continue to grow in leaps and bounds. Two girlfriends got engaged over the holidays (best wishes Nikki and Lynne!) so there are weddings to plan and celebrations all around. At some point (hopefully sooner rather than later) C and I will be moving into our new house and creating a home in which to build many future memories.

My life really is pretty good and I really don't have anything to complain about. Which brings me to my list of resolutions. (which are hard for me because anyone who knows me knows I'm great at giving advice, horrible at taking it - even my own)

1. Stop sweating the small stuff - stop over agonizing about things I can't do anything about. I need to roll with the punches and let the chips fall where they may.

2. Finally, really (no joking) quit smoking. I hate it (have for years now) so there's no point in continuing. It's bad for you, me, everyone but particularly me and there's no reason for me to continue poisoning myself. It's going to be hard, but with some support from all of you I believe I can do it.

3. Get back to the gym - or any type of exercise regimen. I can make time, I just never do and no more excuses. I'm not getting any younger so it's time to treat my body the way it deserves to be treated (after all, it's put up with me all these years).

4. Lose the final 15 pounds I've been dragging around the past year and a half. So far so good, but now I need to make it happen (no excuses).

5. Stop being so negative about things. Overall I'm a very happy, outgoing person, but I tend to focus more on the negatives than the positives and I really have no need to. I need to stop and smell the roses and not be angry if they are growing up around my windows and driving me insane.

6. I need to focus on my future and the next steps in my career. I need to create a game plan of where I want to go from here and then determine how to attain it.

I have more, but frankly I think six is enough work for now. When I achieve one of these I'll add one to mix, but for now I think in 2008 I have plenty of work ahead of me.

Happy New Year everyone! May 2008 bring you all much joy, happiness and good health!