New Year's Resolutions Revisited

Last year I had seven New Year's Resolutions; they ranged anywhere from living a healthier lifestyle, to saving money, to being the best mom, wife, daughter, and friend I could be.  These resolutions came from the heart--there was nothing phony about them.  However, now that I've had a chance to assess them a year later, I realize that I set myself up for the impossible.  Once again, the perfectionist side of me got carried away, and my overzealous goals set me up to fail. 

Courtesy of Google Images.

I'm not saying 2011 was a total wash.  There were highs and lows--achievements and set-backs.  However, since the perfectionist side of me always wants to shine, it was demoralizing to realize that after one year, I gained weight instead of losing it, spent our savings instead of saving, and let fear instead of gratitude guide my emotions.

This year I've learned.  I've become wiser, and although I'll never have all "the answers," I at least know that perfection is not serving me anymore.  I have reduced my seven resolutions to one goal and one goal only--to show appreciation for each day that I'm given this year. 

For far too long, I dismiss days like they're unimportant.  If something goes wrong (I eat the wrong food, I don't exercise, I have car trouble, I have a cold, etc.), I've been known to wish the day away.  Tomorrow will be better, I say to myself, and then in an instant, I've already taken myself out of the present to daydream about a fictitious tomorrow--a tomorrow that never happens as planned.

I've also been known to ignore days and pretend they don't count, especially those where I have to work a 12 hour shift or I'm scheduled to run numerous errands.  Instead of waking up with gratitude in the morning, I'm already catching myself praying that the day (or even the week) goes by fast...

This year, I say "no more."  I refuse to wish my life away or spend hours of my day fantasizing about life instead of living it.  There will be both good days and bad days, but in the end, I need to embrace them all--to be appreciative of the good days and to find learning lessons in the bad days.  My life's not going to be perfect.  It never was...but my life can feel enriched and fulfilled.  All it takes is a change in attitude and an acceptance of welcoming it all--the happy, the sad, the great, and the monotonous. 

To all--may 2012 be the year that we embrace and truly live each day.  XOXO.