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New Resolutions
By
Leena
Nash
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I
will work on self-improvement. This includes taking up a new
sport, attempting to learn another language, learning a dance, and
losing some weight.
I will be a better person - happier, more forgiving, more
thankful, more understanding.
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Another
year gone by, and once again, I haven't been successful in fulfilling
the 2001 resolutions. That isn't surprising - I have never been
able to fulfill them. So before I put pen to paper yet again, I
decided to review last years resolutions and decide what percentage of
them were achieved and how realistic they really were.
Resolutions for 2001 (written 12/30/2000):
1. I will reach my ideal, yet ever unattainable weight of one hundred
and (oops, maybe this is one detail I can omit for this article)...ok, I
will lose 10 pounds (that sounds better!).
---> I stepped on the scale this morning and observed that I hadn't
lost an ounce, let alone a pound. But then, I did what every woman
does in a vain attempt to console herself, and congratulated myself for
not gaining a pound! I even went further to compare myself to
those friends who had actually gained weight this year, and I felt EVEN
better! Wow - this psychology is great. Despite not having
achieved even 1% of this particular resolution, I feel great!
2. I will spend more time doing 'fun' things with my kids, and less time
worrying about their progress, and nagging them about homework.
---> Hmmm. My kids are doing WAY more homework now than they
were last year. But I did cutback on the extra curricular
activities, and I am able to spend more down time with them. So, I
will give myself 50% on this one (yippee!).
3. I will work on self-improvement. This includes taking up a new
sport, attempting to learn another language, learning a dance, and
losing some weight.
---> Well, I didn't take up a sport, but I have a befitting reason!
I have a bad knee. Of course, my knee has been bad for the past 17
years now, so even when I wrote the resolution I knew I couldn't fulfill
it. But my intentions were genuine, and it certainly looked
good in ink. As for the language, I did ATTEMPT to learn Spanish,
so I am giving myself full points here. And I even managed to take
belly-dancing classes. Ok, I am definitely on a roll here.
Oops, there's that darn weight thing again...oh well, the less said
about that, the better. I think I should get 50% here - whaddya
say?
4. Something totally unexpected will happen to me, career wise.
---> Ok, now before I go any further, I can safely say I get 100%
here. Before the year was up, I managed to switch jobs, AND get
laid off!! I would call that unusual and unexpected. Not
exactly the big career boost I was hoping for, but worse things could've
happened. The way my resolution was worded saved me though, so I
deserve 100% here, wouldn't you agree?
(Last, but not the least)
5. I will be a better person - happier, more forgiving, more
thankful, more understanding.
---> In light of this year's events, I think I am in the same boat as
others when I say that I am more thankful, for my loved ones are all
safe and sound; I am happier because I have loving and healthy children
with whom I get to spend more time now that I am not working. But
I don't know if I improved on the forgiving and understanding factors.
The loss of so many innocent lives on 9-11; a friend's son dying in a
car accident at the ripe age of 17; my daughter's 8 year old classmate
being diagnosed with terminal cancer (she died Dec. 21/01); and some
other personal trials. I have had to face this year are all issues I am
having trouble understanding and, in some cases, forgiving.
Why do we feel the need to establish a list of 'wrongs we could right'
at the close of each year? Maybe so we can begin each year with
whole-hearted intentions, and end that same year with reflections on our
accomplishments, regardless of how minor they might seem. Whatever
the reasons may be, the new year resolutions tradition is one this
author will definitely continue. The first item on my list this
year? Lose 10 pounds! :)
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