2013 and a Fresh Start
Credit: Photos.com
Happy New Year, dear faithful readers! Thanks for visiting, because without you, there would be no blog. This blog is my way of having a conversation with like-minded people (and even if you’re not like-minded, I like to hear those opinions, as well). And if you enjoy reading it, can I impose on you to do a few things?
- Tell your friends about it. (The way I see it, the more, the merrier).
- Tell me what you like, what you don’t like, what you’d like more/less of. (I aim to please).
- Tell me what some of your New Year’s resolutions were. That is, if you made any. (Maybe it’ll be a good subject for another blog post.)
Speaking of so-called resolutions, I didn’t make any – again. I gave that up years ago, when it got boring, since I made just about the same ones over and over each year. And believe me, I had a lot. But making them over and over meant that obviously, I wasn’t keeping them. They don’t work – at least not for me.
Instead, I’ve decided I’m going to handle the whole business of resolutions differently this year. Having just had one of my worst years in recent memory – glad to see you go, 2012! – I’m feeling entitled to change it around just a bit. So this year I’ve decided to make resolutions for everyone else.
Call it my wish list for a happy 2013. Whoever said the number 13 is an unlucky number…let’s prove them wrong.
- I will hold the door open for you if I see you walking in behind me, rather than letting it slam in your face, pretending I didn’t know you were there.
- If you similarly hold the door for me, I will smile and say thank you, rather than ignoring you and instead feeling entitled.
- I will wipe down the sweat that I deposited all over the treadmill/bike/elliptical/bench at the gym.
- I will not hog a machine at the gym and pretend I don’t see you standing patiently waiting to use it while I talk on my phone, catch up with another member, or just hang out few minutes to catch my breath and relax.
- I will not cut in line (and pretend you don’t notice me slipping in) just because I’m in a rush and you look like you’re a patient soul.
- I will cover my mouth when I cough or sneeze and not offer you my hand to shake if I’ve recently used it to wipe or pick the snot from my nose.
- I will try to keep my voice low when I’m on a cell phone when I’m not supposed to be on a cell phone. Over-sharing is so overrated.
- I will recognize that you are, like me, a person with feelings and opinions, and hear your viewpoint even if I might not agree with it.
- I will not tailgate. I will not tailgate. I will not tailgate.
- I will not assume you know I’m changing lanes just because I’m thinking of changing lanes.
- I will not blithely say, “let’s get together,” unless I have some dates and ideas in mind.
- I will not ask you, “how are you?” unless I really, truly care how you are.
- I will not offer to do something for you and then “conveniently” never mention it again, since I figure you’ve probably forgotten all about it by now, anyway.
Happy 2013!
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I’ll sign up to keep them!
Happy New Year and thanks for this blog.
Irene
Irene S. Levine recently posted..Is it disloyal to talk to a friend’s enemy?
Glad you’re on board, Irene, and thanks so much for reading this blog!
Happy New Year! Very practical list.
Thank you, Jeanine, and a very happy new year to you as well.
I love the list, Sheryl! Let’s bring civility back BIG TIME!
Glad you like it, Nancy. The world would be a nicer place with civility, don’t you think?
These are great! The small things make a big difference.
Brette Sember recently posted..Leftover Ham + Rice = Yummy Casserole
Yes, it’s the small things…those things that tend to get lost in the bigger picture!
I think most resolutions are bunk. I’m cranky like that, but I do love yours. Funny. Real. Respectful >>> As I said to my pals online >>> Forget resolutions. Treat each day as the new beginning that it truly is … and just do your best to be a bit BETTER person every day … through your thoughts, your words, your actions. I think your examples are a perfect start.
Roxanne @ Champion of My Heart recently posted..New Year, Same Lilly
I like your message, Roxanne. Thanks for sharing.
It took me a long time to think of my resolutions. One of them is to do volunteer work with my kid. Another is not to go on FB if I am feeling fragile, and only to spread love and encouragement while I am there. if I can’t think of anything nice or uplifting to say, I won’t say it at all.
Alisa Bowman recently posted..Discuss This #1
Such good thoughts, Alisa. Volunteering w/your kid sets up such a great example for them, as well as helping other people. And FB can really suck your energy in the wrong direction if the timing is off. It’s good you’re listeningn to your instincts.
I try not to make New Year’s resolutions either. But I think trying to be kinder to everyone in 2013–ourselves included–is a good goal.
MyKidsEatSquid recently posted..Food trends for 2013–the year of sour
Being kinder is a resolution that I never tire of, MKES.
These are some great resolutions!
Living Large recently posted..A Repost of my Cold Cocktail
Excellent list. Now, if only the rest of the world would keep the resolutions this year and forever …
ruth pennebaker recently posted..12 Best Blog Posts of 2012
Yes, Ruth. We need to get everyone on board!