Monday, January 4, 2010

2010

Well, here we are, a new year, a new beginning, a new attitude.

I'm really hoping that 2010 shows me a better time than 2009 did. Not that 2009 was totally rude - there were a few happy moments - but for the most part, it was not very nice. So! Moving onward and upward! Out with the old, in with the new! Shedding the detrius and reveling in a clean slate!

I have a couple of goals this year. I hesitate to call them "resolutions," as they usually don't last. So we'll say "goals". Eupheisms are my friend.

Eupheism No. 1 - "Healthy Lifestyle Choices" (instead of "diet," "exercise," "weight loss," or "put down the cookies.")

I've been working on this since mid-December, with more success than failure, and hopefully I can keep my momentum going. I would like to do Master the Met again and hopefully my walking buddies will join me. Even though I don't work downtown anymore, I'm planning to head to Cahokia Mounds and climb Monk's Mound for training. I have been doing the five flights of stairs in my building twice a day for the past couple of weeks as well. Every little bit helps.

I'm also going to start cooking meals that are healthy, as well as quick and easy. I plan to start a side blog about that venture. I'm still working on the details of that new blog, so stay tuned.

Eupheism No. 2 - "Be Thankful" (instead of "stop being angry/whiny/bitchy/focused on the negative or just plain crabby).

A friend of mine lost her husband in early December, quite suddenly and unexpectedly. She was a great support to me after Jessica and Kelli died. Recently she said she was choosing to rejoice in the time she had with her husband instead of focusing on the time she won't.

I have been struggling to reach this point. I want to be able to let go of my anger and resentment instead of sealing it up in the wound. Her words have given me a renewed sense of hope and a mantra of sorts, something to repeat to myself when I feel like wallowing in my self-pity.

I am going to make an effort to look on the bright side. Instead of complaining about traffic, I'll enjoy the extra few minutes of time away from the office. I will try to say to Maddy and Craig "thank you for doing _____" instead of "why can't anyone around here help me by _________."

It's only two, but those are two big attitude adjustments. I'm telling myself "one day at a time," because that's all I can do. Sure, I can plan a week's worth of dinners, but when traffic is ugly and I get home late and don't feel like cooking dinner at 7:30 so I break out the frozen pizza, I feel like EPIC FAIL and I just throw up my hands and quit. Well, not this time. We'll eat frozen pizza and tomorrow is another day, right?

So, I'm taking baby steps, and making little adjustments here and there, which hopefully will lead to bigger and better things. Just not a bigger butt.

6 comments:

Hope said...

I'm setting goals as well. :)

Jeannette E. Spaghetti said...

Remember, it won't be all frozen pizza all the time. There will be plenty of days where you get home at 7:30 and enjoy leftovers from one of your recently home-cooked meals.

Jill of All Trades said...

Good luck. I did the goal/resolution thing this year too for the first in many years.

Phil Ruggiero said...

Hi - and thank you for taking the time to write. I found your blog when I searched for blogs on surviving unemployment (besides mine). At any rate, I found your blog to be entertaining and warm - basically what life should be like. I hope you fulfill your resolutions - they are fine ones to to achieve. And, even if you miss by a bit, you will still be better for the effort. Take care.

Annie said...

Attitude is everything, isn't that true? I can't wait for your quick, healthy recipe blog!

Zookeeper said...

Good thoughts! I am working on very similar attitude changes, in addition to some organizational and parenting goals. I am looking forward to your healthy cooking/eating blog. I wish I had time for a venture like that. As it is I barely have time to keep up with reading blogs, much less keep up with the one I write (or wrote as the case may be). Happy New Year!