I stopped making New Year’s resolutions a few years ago, and instead began focusing on a word or phrase that would carry me through the year. In 2021, it was a toast “To Your Health.” I thought it meant I’d be on the Peloton every day, watching my diet, and losing a few pounds. As it turns out, it meant finally having surgery to deal with a health issue I’ve had since my pre-teen years, then having another surgery to correct a cosmetic issue left from the first. From April through November, I was just healing. Any plans of diet went to the wayside, but, I dealt with my health.
This sort of resolving- just focusing on one word or idea- seems to have opened me up more to possibilities throughout the year than I would have been opened to if I just focused on not eating junk food or not buying anymore clothing. The word remains open to interpretation, in a way, and open to possibility.
This year, it’s Complete. We have a few rooms at the house I still need to wrap up. I joke that there are a few spaces that are 90% done- our bedroom now only needs curtains. The living room just lacks drapes and a lamp. The den? Lighting and end tables. So many spaces are almost there, but not fully finished.
In other ways, too, there are a few things I could see as needing to be complete; for instance, maybe I want to fit into my entire wardrobe. Perhaps I’d like to complete the paying off of some debt. All of this falls under the category of “complete.” You see what I mean about leaving a goal open to interpretation?
Whatever you choose to focus on this year, I wish you the best. Ever forward.
** photo by Lana Carroll **
