I don’t usually bother to make New Year resolutions. As best as I can tell, I haven’t done so for at least the last three years. It has always just seemed so arbitrary to make large changes and big promises on a day that, in reality, isn’t any more important than any other. I just felt that we as a society should be able to make changes whenever we need them and that waiting for some special day to do so was just a crutch. I still think this is true, to some effect. But I’m also beginning to understand the true importance of ritual, celebration, and social unity. I am starting to realize the necessity of patterns and the importance of outward representation of inner change.
So, in that vein, here are my resolutions for 2010.
- Make out like a teenager: Hot, hurried, and in inappropriate places.
- Take at least one photograph every day and share it. If I don’t share it, what was the point in the first place?
- Find religion. And then don’t take it too seriously.
- Take more risks. Stable is nice, but it’s also boring. When it isn’t going to hurt anyone, do it just because it feels good. Yes, even that.
- Learn to dance. If that should fail, dance anyway, even if I can’t.
- Worry less about little things. Think it over, then either walk away or jump in with both feet.
- Trust myself. Believe in myself. Love myself. I’m the only person who has never let me down.
- Spend less. Live more. Everything worth keeping doesn’t cost anything anyway.
- Stop pouring myself into emotional drains. Analyze loyalties and don’t be afraid to give up.
- Quit living in “what if”s. They are a source of worry, waste, and limitation.
- Love hard.
- Make new rituals. Find old ones and reclaim them.
- Try new art. Find new things to look at. Find expression. But don’t get attached to the thing. Just the process.
- Forgive myself. Forgive others.
- Cherish friendships. Tell people how much they mean to me. Every day.
In addition, there are things I am already doing that should most certainly continue.
- Be the best father I can be every second of every day.
- Be a strong source of support for those that I care about. Check in with people just because.
- Continue being a non-smoker. It’ll be 5 years on March 10th.
- Encourage daily social interaction.
- Get outside as often as possible.
What are your resolutions this year?