My Personal Resolutions for the New Year

Every year we make New Year's Resolutions, most we fail at miserably. Sometimes we are grasping at straws knowing there is no way to reach that goal. You have to start with something that you know is within reach. Instead of resolving to change yourself all at once, start with conscious change in more subtle ways. For instance, some say they are going to stop smoking. That is a great goal. But maybe we should take baby steps. Instead of saying you are going to stop for good, try it for a few days first, or a few weeks. That will help build your confidence.

Little changes in your life can go a very long way. So, that brings me to my top 5 resolutions for 2009. These are my own personal goals and in no particular order.

1. Becoming more tolerant of those around me. Sometimes, no matter how hard I try, I find myself thinking bad thoughts about people that irritate me, like those living in the same house. I can't change them, so I have to try to change myself. For instance, the loud burping one. I know he is just rude and the fact he does this is just disgusting. People have to burp, I guess, but couldn't he do it with his mouth closed, and even saying excuse me? This is also the same one that has his television on at all hours of the day and night not caring if anyone can sleep. I stole his remote a few months ago so I can turn the tv down when he is sleeping. This works for about an hour until he wakes up and turns it back up.

2. Stop worrying about the past. I realize that the past is behind me but I still find myself thinking "what if". That doesn't get you anywhere. Instead of looking back, it is time to focus on the present and the future. The ghosts from the past cannot be changed. It is time to own up to past mistakes and failures and move on.

3. Take time to enjoy life. A few months ago a very good friend past from this life and it really and quite an effect on me. She enjoyed her family and friends while she was here. When I would sit with here while she was ill she would enjoy pulling out her jigsaw puzzle so we could work on it together for hours. While working on this she would talk about her family and how life was when she was working. How much joy she would have when someone would come visit. That taught me to hold my friends dear and to go out and do the things I want. Not just sit back and watch life pass me by.

4. Find some way to get transportation. Toward the end of November my old car finally gave out on me, cracked head. I was told that it was going to be around $3500 for repairs! I ended up having to give it away to the salvage yard. Now, I have no way to get to work unless I walk as there is no public transportation in my area. My job as a substitute teacher takes me all over my city and luckily there is one school right behind my house and there are two others about a mile away so I can walk to them. Before my car quit I was working every day and now I am only down to about once a week, depending on their needs. So, in other words, no work means no money. I tried getting a loan but with my credit score and the fact that my income is not what it should be, I was denied.

5. Move closer to my family. I have been wanting to do this for quite awhile but have not found a way to accomplish this as of yet. My family has always been important to me and I really miss being closer to them than 1500 miles. With each passing day I find myself feeling more and more discouraged because I am so far way. My dad is soon going to be 73 years old and I would love to be able to spend time with him before it is too late. He is the youngest of five and he is the last one left. As far as I know his health is good, but you never know what is going to pop up.

So, there you have it. These are just a few of the things I am going to work on for 2009. I'm sure I could come up with more but I'm sure this short list will keep me pretty busy. It is a daunting list, now that I look back at it. However, these are things that are important to me at the moment. I just need to take it one day at a time and look for the light at the end of the tunnel.

Happy New Year to my fellow producers, I wish you all the best.