On the long ride back from Chicago on Sunday, Mark and I got to talking about New Year's resolutions. Per an article I had read in Good Housekeeping, we decided to make resolutions for each other. The ones Mark assigned to me were pretty tame: make more time for myself and lower my expectations, i.e. when things don't go exactly as I had envisioned, try to relax. These were good ideas, I thought, but I want to go even further.
Many of the resolutions I came up with for myself involve the boys, all revolving around one central theme: be the mom I want to be. I need to yell less, be more consistent in my discipline, try hard to remain calm and patient, and, most importantly, enjoy my kids more. I have resolved to do these things many times before. I hope I find it in myself to follow through.
Some of my resolutions address my previously mentioned organizational deficiencies. If I could get my kitchen more organized, I think it could improve my whole mood. Maybe this will be the year we tackle the messy side of the basement. Or maybe not. If not, I guess that invokes Mark's resolution for me about my expectations.
More than any other area of my life, I want to focus on bettering myself. Sadly, myself could use a lot of bettering. Sure I want to eat healthier and exercise more. Those I can do. But the real change I want to achieve is tougher. I want to give more, consume less, be a more positive person, be more joyful, be a better wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, live in the moment. How do I achieve this? Focus on it every day, I guess.
Will 2009 be the year I become the person I want to be? I hope to have some success. (See, Mark, I'm keeping my expectations realistic.) The holidays are nearly through and the long winter looms ahead. I like to think I can use that time to work toward becoming a new me. Happy 2009! I hope you become the person you wish to be in the new year.
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