I resolve

The Christmas tree is gone. The decorations have been stashed away. Every bit of shortbread, candy cane, every Snickerdoodle and piece of turkey has been given away, frozen, dumped or consumed. My place looks a lot like January, if January had a look. When I cock my head, just right, I can still catch the glint of a strand of tinsel that smartly avoided the vacuum. What’s that? Did I make resolutions for 2016? I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t. Not making resolutions is a lot like someone telling me, “Don’t think about squirrels.” Of course I will think about squirrels, therefore, I’ve made resolutions. Dang. Now I’m going to have to tell you what those resolutions might be.

I might have resolved I’d be even more committed to taking care of myself. Yep. I might have done that. This, I’ll likely do with fewer moments of hesitation and less “Why am I doing this?” as I pack my gym bag. I might have resolved to eat more vegetables, more lean protein, less processed food and to drink more water. Maybe I resolved to become more healthy and more fit because I’m not getting any younger. I believe I’ll resolve not to let “age” be the excuse for not doing something. I’ve seen, and heard, too many of my friends use age as an excuse for a sedentary lifestyle. So, I’ll ride my bike more. I’ll ride farther. I’ll ride faster. I am resolute in my quest to revitalize “The Bike Ride of the Apocalypse” with a new route, a longer distance and to include more of the kids. I already go to the gym and work out at least five times a week. I’m a firm believer in continuing the gym thing. I’ll deadlift. I’ll stretch. I’ll plank. I’ll sit-up. I’ll fly and press. I’ll squat and curl. I strongly hope to continue to grocery shop the perimeter of the store, as much as possible. My food choices will fuel my fitness. On the other hand, I may, or may not, have resolved to spend more time with my sists-friends enjoying a lunch, a glass of wine and laughs. But I may have resolved that I’ll drink that wine with a leafy, green salad, I tell ya.

YSOM (youngest son of mine) told me to “art more”. He loves to art. I resolve to art more. I’ve got the art-more stuff. It doesn’t have a best before date, whereas I believe I do. Goodness knows I spent enough time in a college classroom learning how to art. I could put some of that learning to good use. OSOM (figure this one out for yourself) told me to get back to running. I told him I didn’t have time for running and immediately realized how stupid that must have sounded to him because it totally made me laugh at myself. And I may, or may not, have resolved to laugh at myself more often. Face it kiddies, humans are just plain funny. Spend a moment watching and listening to yourself. Am I right about “funny”? You know I am.

I’m firm in my commitment to reading the mountain of books I’ve got stacked on my night table. I buy ’em, but sometimes I don’t finish reading ’em. Last year, I wanted to be a better ukulele player. I’m a bit better with the chords and the strumming, but while clearing my studio to accommodate holiday guests I found a harmonica in my desk drawer. You know where I’m going with this, right? My point is, and I do have one, I firmly believe 2016 could be the best year of my life. I’ve had a lot of “best years,” but this year? Oh yeah. This year, I’m going to shine. I’ve quietly promised myself I’ll be ready for “homemade Christmas” before Easter 2017. I hope to say “yes” to the things I want to do and “no” to the people, places and things that vex the bejeebers out of me.

Maybe I’ll just resolve to resolve my resolution issues. Yep, that’s the ticket.

theresa@wellingtontimes.ca