New Year's Resolutions

"N.Y.R." ~ the all-important New Year's Resolution.  Let me just preface this post by stating that I don't like New Year's resolutions. In fact, I despise them.  Well, despise may be a wee bit harsh ~ extremely dislike, maybe ~ but I just don't see the point in making some public declaration to do something that I may end up failing. I also don't like them because just about "everyone" does them.  News organizations do feature stories on "N.Y.R." ~ the news feeds on Face book are all about them.  Bookstores, gyms, websites and magazines insist that if you just buy this book or membership, then you'll be on the right track to your New Year's goal.

"This is the year that I'm going to loose weight ~ I'm going to try to be kinder by 'paying it forward' who's with me? ~  I want to get more financially secure ~ I'm going to get more organized" ~ you get the idea.

I'm in no way bad-mouthing these ideas ~ all of them are beneficial.  We all need to keep fit, be kind, be organized and financially secure.  I just don't like to think that because it's a new year that I need to make those changes.  Perhaps if I had made those choices earlier in the year I wouldn't have to allow a certain day decide to do it for me.

What I do enjoy is going against the flow of tradition and purposely not make a resolution.  Yes, I can be a bit of  a rebel.  

However, this year has got me thinking.  In 2015, I will have 2 teenagers in the home ~ one giddy with the anticipation of a driver's permit and the other a brand-spanking-new teenage boy.  (Thankfully, I still have one under the age of ten, but that's only for a couple of more years.)  The hubs & I will be celebrating 18 years of marriage. (It doesn't seem that long!)  I will be turning 47 years old.  (What?  Only 3 more years until 50?)  It's also recently hit me that I'm now considered to be in the middle stages of my life.  And if I'm honest, I must admit that it can be a bitter pill for me to swallow ~ if I allow it.

Let me explain.  Although I'm very happy with this phase of my life, I sometimes yearn for yesterday.  Don't get me wrong ~ I'm content ~ but I sometimes wonder if I could've done certain things differently.

Perhaps I could have chosen a different career path.  Perhaps I could have been more loving instead of judgemental.  What if I had only sought out and kept the friendships that built me up and encouraged me ~ instead of allowing toxic people dictate my value and worth as an individual.  Real friends don't call you names.  Real friends aren't jealous of your success, but rejoice with you. Real friends don't try to compete with you.  I sigh as I re-read this.  I do live with some regrets.

However, the past must remain in the past.  It's good to reflect and wonder.  It prompts you to stretch yourself to be something better.  Which leads me to this statement:

This year of 2015 is going to be my year.  A year of letting go.  A year of new adventures.  A year of putting my priorities in order.  A year of renewal.  You're welcome to join me in my journey.