Every year I make New Year's resolutions and pretty much always fail at them. I choose the same ones as many of you do. I am going to loose weight. I'm going to get organized. I'm going to wash dinner dishes every evening before bed. These things just don't happen for me. So, this year I chose something completely different and personal. I have promised myself that I will have more fun, enjoy life more, and take better care of myself.
That may sound odd to some of you or maybe most of you can relate. It seems I throw myself into work. It almost appears to be all I know. Since I've actually entered the real world and workforce, I've pretty much always kept either a full time and part time job or worked full time and attended school full time. When I decided to take time off before pursuing a Master's, I didn't expect the free time to be a burden. However, it appears in all my dedication to hard work that I've forgotten how to enjoy life a bit. How to relax and have fun. A sad reality that truly bothers me to my core.
While life is still harder than I wish, I've managed to keep trudging on. Something that should satisfy me, but doesn't. I don't just want to survive this life. I want to soak up every second and truly enjoy my days here. So, I'm pushing myself to do just that.
I'm letting dinner dishes go until the next morning, to enjoy a game of Scrabble or something on the XBox with Keith every chance we get. I'm stretching my boundaries and even trying out games like Halo, which I surprisingly find fun. Granted I still don't fully understand the game, but I like shooting at things. I'm taking more time to read and write. While I suppose some of the writing is considered work, I really enjoy it. I've been doing a lot of article writing for various websites and I pushed myself outside my bounds again last weekend by entering a creative short story contest. It was my first time entering a contest and I don't expect any great results, but I had fun and do plan on entering more.
I'm making time to see my friends and even planning a weekend getaway, which isn't until April. Yet, it's still going to be good to get away with all of them and just catch up. I've also decided to sign up for a short watercolor painting class. It should be interesting. I have absolutely no talent in that area, but it's advertised for beginners and I've always wanted to give it a try.
I'm just glad to see progress in my resolutions. To be honest, I feel better. I think most of us have forgotten the value of fun and enjoyment. It really does benefit all areas of our lives. I'll leave you all with one last thought.
"Who will tell whether one happy moment of love or the joy of breathing or walking on a bright morning and smelling the fresh air, is not worth all the suffering and effort which life implies." ~Erich Fromm
2 comments:
I hear you sister. I can relate to you more than you think... So I made just one new years' resolution. To be magnanimous. And my resolution for my lifetime is to give more than I expect to receive.
I believe that when we are well (in other words have more fun, enjoy life more, and take better care of ourselves!) then we will be more open to welcome change in our life habits (eg. change diets, start a new hobby, sports). Everything else will naturally follow.
If we make something a MUST or an obligatory burden (say loose weight) the whole idea of it tends to get a negative vibration - we don't even believe we are going to achieve that goal. In order to achieve it we have to "suffer", just eat carrots and have long hours in the gym. Who wants that? I WANT to eat chocolate cake. DAILY! :D Sure, loosing weight doesn't need to be like this at all, but´as it is a MUST we wont be relaxed and at ease with the resolution, thus we will never achieve the goal we set.
Dear, you must be one of the most hardworking women I know. You will give you projects your 110% input and will excel. But like you said, it can take take the joy out of living. As long as this is temporary it is fine. Don't push yourself too hard.
I am glad you have managed to find little "breaks" and ways to enjoy freetime, and let yourself relax more. We need that! But we also should be careful not to full our freetime with too many things. I personally fall in this trap too often. Moderation is the key word. In everythin I guess.
Good luck with the contest! I am so sure you rock in that! And I am sure you will enjoy the painting course: it is wonderful that despite how busy you are you keep expanding and keep looking for opportunities to grow and get new skills!
Love Ida
I think that's a wonderful resolution and an even better life resolution. :)I definitely agree that the changes just kind of roll into one.
I've been adding on quiet time for myself as well, which is so important. I like to sit in the quiet and just pet Sable. It helps clear my head. I'm also making time to do my meditation. It helps tremendously. I find the more that I just be the better I feel and the more I want to do. It's a nice feeling.
However, you are right. I have to make sure I take the time to just relax. :) Again, I'm so glad to see you back on here. I'm excited and love getting your thoughts. :)
Much love to you.
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