I Resolve Not to Make Resolutions!

For years, I've marvelled at those who make resolutions.  They start the year with the best of intentions to accomplish some specific task or achieve some specific goal.  By the end of the first three months, most are usually defeated.  I have to shake my head, because at this point, those folks can only feel worse about themselves than they did to start off the whole horrible cycle.

Each year, I resolve NOT to make resolutions.  Instead, I spend the year focusing on all the things I need to to change my life in a positive direction.  I know I'm going to fail...but hey!  If I can just do an eensy ounce better than I did last year, BONUS!

My goal as a wife, mother and individual is to provide for my family a bit better than my mom did for me (hey, it's called progress...and I hope my kids attempt this standard and put my methods in the dust!).  Some days, this is super easy to accomplish and some days there is no way I can even compare to her.  But, with all this in mind, I'd like to share with you the items that I resolve not to make a resolution over, but will struggle with every single day until I've perfected them (which, will be: Never - in case you're keeping score):

1. Yell less & hug more.
2. Tell my husband every day that I love him.
3. Tell my kids every day what is special about them.
4. Communicate better (see #1 for elaboration).
5. Be patient.  [ok, let's be totally honest with this one...I'm never going to be a patient person.  Maybe I should strive to practice deep breathing for 10 seconds and no longer utter the words, "Reverse, Reverse" under my breath]
6. Swear less. [OK: this one, I'm feeling pretty confident about.  I figure that if I can eliminate one curse word from my general conversation & rants every day - this is a super huge improvement.  Next year, I could be so bold as to work toward removing one per hour.  NEXT YEAR - YES!  I know what you're thinking...What the fuhk?  Cut me some slack...and don't judge!]
7. Find some time for me.  Somewhere between worrying about #'s 1, 2 & 3, I typically forget who I am.  And what I'm doing here for me.  It's something important I have to remember so that by the time September rolls around I don't feel lost and alone.

So, with that.  I wish you all good luck in your New Year's Resolutions and will trudge down the road of my non-committal and happily mess up, trip, fall, pick myself up, dust myself off & try again tomorrow.