At its base, the word “resolution” loosely translates to re-trying a solution. Implied within the making of resolutions is the assumption that the first try has already failed at some point in the past. Yet here I sit with pen and paper in hand, putting together my bucket list of things to resolve in 2015, mulling over the typical resolutions reported by CBS News Detroit:
Lose Weight- Volunteer to Help Others
- Quit Smoking
- Get a Better Education
- Get a Better Job
- Save Money
- Get Fit
- Eat Healthy Food
- Manage Stress
- Manage Debt
- Take a Trip
- Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
- Drink Less Alcohol
A bunch of these don’t exactly apply to me anymore. I’ve already lost over 50lbs and kept it off, I think that knocks off “lose weight” and “get fit”. Although, losing an additional 15lbs would not upset me in the least. I don’t really drink that much alcohol nor have I ever smoked. Take a trip? I’m always up for that type of activity, it doesn’t need to be listed on a piece of paper as a reminder…. And I already have a very good education and I tucked away a respectable emergency fund as part of 2014’s resolutions.
Out of nowhere (thank you, internet), I stumble across a different type of resolution: simply pick a theme for the year.
Just choose one word that will keep you on track for the next 52 weeks, something to improve upon, something to flesh out. Something noble like dignity, charity, reflection, growth… What would I use as my theme? My power word? My 365 day compass?
Digging deep, I listened to the nagging little voice that fuels some of my self-criticism
One of my flaws, a little piece of procrastination built into every project, is my desire to start something new before the last project is finished. Plenty of examples fill the house. The upstairs hallway that needs touchups on the ceiling paint job, the back stairs where the finish trim needs a couple of nails hammered in to anchor it, the bedroom window sills begging for a couple of coats of paint to finish off the room.
Nitpicky little things that I’ve learned to live with that need attention for an hour.
Maybe that’s why I don’t finish them. They only require an hour… the clean-up effort would take longer.
Which leads to my 2015 theme: FULFILLMENT
ful·fill·ment (noun)
- satisfaction or happiness as a result of fully developing one’s abilities or character.
- the achievement of something desired, promised, or predicted.
Both of the definitions are poignant and applicable. I would like to fulfill, to finish, to complete before starting on some new venture. This word will be my guide post as I experience the daily satisfaction of trying a new activity or finishing an outstanding task.
2015 will be my Wrap Up Year.
I can mend the fences that protect the blueberry bushes. I can plant flowers in the garden. I can burn through the stack of books on my nightstand. I can finish the little paint touchups. I can replace the light switch in the kitchen. I can work my way through the new cookbook the kids gave me for Christmas, the one with a different recipe for every day of the year. I can complete a dresser decorating project that is just about, almost but not quite, done… And I can make my office into something creative and comforting and light and airy.
I can be my own handyman, my own life coach, my own cheerleader.
And I can complete my journey of becoming a better person.
All of these activities, these efforts, these attempts, fit under the umbrella of my theme.
Take that, procrastination!
Today I fixed the vacuum cleaner. Yipee! Fulfilled!