resolutions

I'm not a real fan of traditional resolutions, although I make them and am quite good at keeping them. In my mind, I don't want to set myself up for failure by taking on something that's simply too much to do, too unreasonable, too... well, too!

The past few years I've tried to focus on one particular area of life and give it a go. One year, I gave up caffeine cold turkey! I was miserable for a couple of weeks but eventually substituted all kinds of things for coffee. It made me mindful of how much crap I was drinking (between coffee, tea and Dr. Pepper and other sodas). Another year I made the switch to diet soda. Another year I flossed my teeth after every meal. Oh, one of my favorite years I wrote a letter/sent a card to everyone in my address book once a month. (Before I had a computer, obviously)

I've done some things I am proud of this year:

1. I opened myself up and have shown a vulnerable side to people around me. I regularly tell people how important they are to me, both in words and actions.
2. I have been my own advocate in terms of medical and mental health care. I survived a major health scare. I researched it and read up on all aspects of the event and treatment, prognosis.
3. I was open to the possibility of a relationship--and am still open.
4. I am chairing a reaccreditation committee at school.
5. I have started journaling again.
6. I have made real progress in both individual and group therapy.
7. I have followed doctor's orders v-e-r-y closely.
8. I have made some wonderfully rich connections with students and am doing some of my best teaching.
9. I have read the widest variety of literature and non-fiction I've ever read.
10. Become mindful of living in the moment--of being present and available.
11. Branched out in my music listening by trying R&B, lite rap, and other stuff.

So, now it's time to evaluate and re-evaluate my world to figure out what to work on this year. Really the big thing that hangs over me is to lose the weight I've gained and get back into regular exercise. But that's tied to #2 in the list above. So... hmmm. I guess I will think some more about what I want my life to be like this year. A crystal ball would be helpful, so I can anticipate some things... but without that, I guess I'm on my own.

what if this is as good as it gets?