Resolved!

For all you resolution procrastinators out there . . . time's up! Yesterday was the last possible day one could procrastinate to if beginning something new in 2016.

I mean, you couldn't start on January 1 . . . it was on a Saturday, and nobody can start a new diet, or quit smoking, or start exercising regularly – or anything else important – on a Saturday. So that allowed you until yesterday, January 4, to begin your NEW LIFE in 2016.

I was going to start a diet a couple weeks ago, but I got a letter from the Union blocking my plan. They told me the diet belongs to 2016 and that if I attempted to begin in 2015 they'd take action against me.

So I clearly couldn't start until Saturday -- meaning Monday. It wasn't my fault! What is, is, man!

In the past I've given New Year's advice along the lines of keeping it real; not trying to bite off too much. Supposedly this leads to a greater success rate.

But I have little willpower, so have achieved little success. So I'm making a whole lot of resolutions, so I can pick and choose where to put my New Year's energy in 2016. (I reserve the right to blow off any of these at any time, for no reason at all.)

1. Lose weight. Yeah, yeah, you all have this one, too, unless you want to gain weight.
2. Eat healthier. A partner to number one, and could mean anything. Like do I give up chocolate altogether, or just eat dark chocolate, because it's healthier?
3. Quit smoking. Just kidding! I don't smoke, so this is a gimmie. I'm just patting myself on the back for having one less bad habit. Thank God, because I'd never be able to quit . . . that's a real tough goal!
4. Exercise regularly. Besides walking from my desk to the coffee machine to my desk to the bathroom to the coffee machine to my desk to the coffee machine to my desk to the bathroom.
5. Travel more. A conundrum when you consider that to travel more you have to pay more which means you have to earn more which means you have to work more which means you have less time . . . to travel!
6. Be. More. Patient.
7. Am I patient yet?
8. Try something (healthy and legal) new. No ideas on this.
9. De-clutter my house. Hey, this time I have a plan!
10. Live to see next New Year's. God willing!
    And may you all do the same. Happy New Year, and good luck with all your goals, both realistic and wishful thinking!

It's New Year's Day! Another year...we've lived to see its start.
And as always, I'm filled with optimism at the year's dawning.
And with big plans!
THIS is the year I'll get back to a healthy weight. Why not? It's hardly an impossible goal, after all.
Here's my plan. . .
Eat less.
Exercise more.
Ta da!
I spoke with an expert recently, who said a good little trick when trying to eat healthier is, rather than deciding to eliminate all unhealthy items from your diet (unrealistic much??) you should rather resolve to add healthy items.
She told me this will result in you consuming fewer unhealthy calories and foods. . . and this is how you can trick yourself into eating healthier...and losing weight as a byproduct.
THIS is the year I'll finish a novel, and market it. Maybe I can become a published novelist! Why not? It's hardly an impossible goal, after all.
Here's my plan. . .
Finish the book I began during the NANOWRIMO challenge in November, polish it up, and try to sell the darned thing. It's an Amish romance . . . they're hot right now. (Although the book isn't...no sex in these things!)
THIS is the year I'll finally go to Europe! Why not? It's hardly an impossible goal, after all! I'm looking into visiting Italy, and have been studying Italian since June.
THIS is the year I'll get the clutter in my house under control.
Well . . . maybe I need to be realistic. ;)
After all, the experts all agree one should be realistic about those New Year's goals!
Maybe I'll clean out my closet, anyway.
Happy New Year, and good luck with your goals!