Happy New Years

I have never been much of a New Years Resolution person. I don't like to set goals and not reach them. The startling statistic that almost all New Years goals never get reached is enough to keep my away from setting them. Yet, I do feel it's appropriate to have a plan.

I like knowing when I am doing things and why I am doing them. I like knowing what direction I am headed in.

With that said, I have a couple of generic ideas that I would like to see materialize this year. Most of these could be considered mantras or morals-- without a measurable end, I can't consider them goals.

Here goes:

1. Just Say No! -- I have never been good at mastering this small word "No!" I am sure my mom would say that as a toddler I was adept at the word, yet as an adult I seem to struggle with turning anyone down. I am on every committee anyone has ever asked me to participate on. I join every club, I chair every event, and I work tirelessly to get all the items on my endless "to-do" list done. This year, I can't keep this up.

I need to say "no" to many more things. I plan to cut out many of the leadership roles I have taken in my PTO jobs and reduce the amount of extra work I am doing in other facets of my life. Then, the hardest part will be to say "no" to all of those new tempting committees that I may face this year. "N" "O" -- I will do my best.

2. Treasure my family -- I think that this mantra combines with the ideas on the first goal. I look at my boys and realize that they are no longer the crawling, crying infants that I cradled only a few short years ago. In fact, Andrew is closer to being a teen than he is to a baby now.

I need to savor the moments we have of peaceful family times. Sometimes amidst soccer games, basketball practice, and general chaos at home, I forget to just enjoy them to the extent that I should. Many nights I sit down and sigh in relief as I finally get them all to bed when I know that I should be more appreciative that I have had a day with them.

This concept sounds the most simple, yet I believe it will prove to be the hardest.

This is my vision for the year 2009. I do hope that this year finds us blessed with health and happiness again.