Resolution Revolution

2014.  A new year has begun and hope springs eternal.  We start off with the best intentions and talk of fresh starts and blank slates.  We make promises, we commit. 

Occasionally we effect real change.  A resolution sticks.  But most of the time we find ourselves starting a new year with the same resolutions we made the prior year and were unable to maintain.  We all know it, yet we all swear this year will be different.

Well this year I’m making different resolutions, ones that don’t have to do with fitting into my skinny jeans.  This year I’m going to focus on what’s truly important.

The past year brought with it some pretty major milestones.  There were weddings and funerals and babies.  There were joyful reunions and tearful goodbyes.  As I reflect on the last 365 days, there’s one thing that becomes abundantly clear: people are what matter.

So this year my resolutions will be as follows:

More hugs.  I need ’em, other people need ’em.  Everybody wins.

More photos.  Sure, of the kids, natch.  But also of the grown-ups, the ones who won’t always be around.

Less technology, more human interaction.  Screen time shouldn’t just be limited for the littles.  Face-to-face time trumps Face Time.

Less junk and alcohol, more real food and water.  Because I want to be around for a really long time and see all the adventures my kiddos get into.  Plus I’m a role model.  In this house?  I’m kind of a big deal.

More deep breaths.  Less reactivity.  More patience.  Less yelling.

More expressions of love and appreciation.  Less expressions of frustration and disappointment.  I want the people in my life to know how much they mean to me and to feel loved and valued.

More gratitude.  In the strictest sense, our lives are made up of moments strung together in time.  What makes our lives worth living are the moments that make us feel something, a connection to another being or to something bigger than us.  Those moments of shimmering clarity when we say to ourselves, “Aha.  That is what it’s all about.”  Perhaps it’s something momentous like the birth of a child, or perhaps it’s something seemingly inconsequential that causes us to pause in our daily grind and marvel at the wonder of a spectacular sunset or at the heavy warmth of a sleeping puppy in our lap.  Whatever the moment may be, I hope that I can take a moment to be grateful for it.  I hope that I will slow down long enough to soak it in.

Human connections matter.  Relationships matter.  Kindness matters.  And this year?  I want my resolutions to reflect that.

2014.  It’s gonna be a good one.

Happy New Year and hugs for all!

Ash