My (Sort of) New Year’s Resolutions

I don’t do resolutions on New Year’s Day, just like I don’t always buy presents at Christmas. Resolutions (or goals, or improvements, or plans) are made in my life when they’re relevant, not on some randomly determined date. I get gifts for people when I see something that makes me think, “Oh! So-and-so would love that!” Those moments rarely coincide with a birthday or Christmas. People who know me know this about me.

So, as January passes, here are my New Year’s resolutions:

1. Learn to practice compassion.

It’s as simple as imagining yourself in someone else’s situation before you act (or make a judgment, or speak, or post on Facebook). You’ll be surprised what you learn about yourself.

2. Eat to live (rather than the other way around).

Let’s admit it. We know this one, and we have at least one friend who lives it and makes us feel inadequate. Stop doing that to yourself. Start with small choices. More vegetables, fewer desserts. When you’re out running around, make better choices for quick eats. It doesn’t have to be everything all at once.

      3. Make a conscious choice to perform acts of kindness.

Easy peasy. In a parking lot and someone’s almost done unloading their shopping cart? Offer to take it back for them (you’re going into the store anyway). Hold a door for someone. Offer a service member a lift if you’re driving their way (someone did this for me when I was a single soldier, and it made my week). Find little bits that you can do to improve someone’s life.  

4. Appreciate the majesty of nature.

I live in the mountains of Colorado. I intend to go out and look at them up close and personal. I have a Jeep, a dog, and great hiking boots. What more do I need?

5. Procrastinate less.

Yeah. I’m getting better at this, but it can always use improving, can’t it?

6. Be the best student that I can be.

I’m fortunate enough to be eligible for extended VA educational benefits, thanks to a disability I gained through my multiple deployments. I’m making the most of it, learning a lot, and feeding my inner nerd, all at the same time.

7. Love more. 

Enough said.         

8. Volunteer. More.

So, you all may or may not know that Army Wife Network is run by a core team of volunteers and that a number of milspouses volunteer their writing skills as contributors. Sometimes, it’s a lot of work. But, there are more opportunities out there.

Meals on Wheels? Check.

Veterans’ organizations? Check.

Local library, park, or school? Check, check, check.

Someone, somewhere needs your help, and even if you can only sneak in a couple of hours a week, it will be appreciated more than you know. It also enriches your life because you have an opportunity to meet new people, acquire new skills, and have new experiences. It’s worth it, trust me.

It doesn’t need to be New Year’s Day to better yourself, your life, and the lives that you influence. If you failed at the resolutions that you made a couple of months ago, don’t despair. Just take a deep breath and let it out, pick something that needs improvement, and work on it. It can be the first day of the year or the hundred and first.

What resolutions or goals have you made for yourself this year?  Share with us!