Talking 'bout The Non-Resolution

Happy New Year, Day Two of 2015!! About a week ago a question that's asked only this time of year began replacing the general "How's It Going?" greeting people say after a Hello. So far The Question has been directed to me by a minister, postal deliverer, pharmacist, weightlifter, Wal Mart clerk, newspaper publisher, artist, tractor salesman, grocery store owner, librarian, welder, cheese manufacturer, electrical engineer, teacher, brick layer, City Hall secretary, and a trombonist.

 

To everyone I have replied, "No."

And the question? 

 "So Polly, got any New Year Resolutions?" 

My explanation when asked why I don't have any NYR's is simple: A couple decades ago I realized that making the darn things was just plain depressing because I'd disappoint myself before January was over by not following through with self-improvement intentions. Right out of the gate, January 2nd, clear vision of what I wanted to accomplish (even made it official by writing it down) and that clarity remained for 32 days. 40 if I really pushed it.

So I no longer make resolutions. Instead I set goals:
A) Personal               B) Civic-minded                  C) Writing

1) Be More Patient heads the Personal non-resolution list. Every year it takes the Number One spot. Not just patient with other people, but with myself. I don't need other people getting impatient with me. I do a great job of it all on my own.

I could learn something from him about being Patient

                                  
2) Don't Get Worked Up Over Petty Things, is also on that list. Or as my dad said, "Don't Sweat The Small Stuff...and most of it is."

3) Eat Healthy. Exercise.            
 -sigh-
Like the Be Patient goal, these two take up space on my list every year. I have only one body and no one else is going to take care of it for me, right?!  

City-wide yoga seminar in Manhattan, on a 95+ degree day, June, 2012. You won't find me in there, but kudos to everyone who was!

A few more on the Personal list are: Listen better....Learn A New Piano Composition.....Practice The New Piano Composition.....Don't Obsess Over House-Cleaning

Not mine, but looks like a shedder to me

For the civic-minded goal list I write the name of an organization I've heard of or read about that interests me but haven't gotten involved with yet. This goal is easy to meet because there are so many people-helping-people organizations out there. Last year I collected clothing and toys for a shelter for children. This year I'm going to volunteer at a food pantry and the shelter. Four years ago I developed a farmers' market in our town and will up my efforts to make it more successful.    

And then there's the writing goals. In my office I have a copy of a quote from Will Rogers (1879-1935), American writer, humorist and actor. It serves as my version of inspirational verses you see on posters, plaques,coffee cups and T-shirts: 

   "Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there."

Translation: hoping I'll finish a writing project won't get it done. Not that I'm a slacker when it comes to putting in the time it takes to write a story, but sometimes I need a kick in the rear to stir up the determination to put in that time. This year on my non-resolution list I have three writing projects I will make happen. The 6th historical in my Almost series, 4th in my Games People Play series and a non-fiction that will probably take longer than this year to finish but I'll be well underway by the end of 2015.

When I do step off those train tracks and head in the right direction, there's no stopping me!

How about you? What non-resolution goals do you want to complete by December 31, 2015?

Polly McCrillis
www.pollymccrillis.com
http://pollymccrillis.com/blog.html  A new blog post every Tuesday!