New Year's Resolutions

as always i am curious about why we, humans, do things.  so it is the time of year when many people are making resolutions.  it seems to me that if you are promising to yourself to change something or start doing something that it shouldn't matter what day it is, you should just do it because it is "that" important to you. 

here is what Wikipedia has to say about new year's resolutions:  a new year's resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to a personal goal, or the reforming of a habit.  this lifestyle change is generally interpreted as advantageous.  a new year's resolution is generally a goal someone sets out to accomplish in the coming year.

there are religious parallels to this secular tradition.  during Judaism's New Year, Rosh Hashanah, through the High Holidays and culminating in Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), one is to reflect upon one's wrong doings over the year and both seek and offer forgiveness.  people may act similarly during the Christian fasting period of Lent, though the motive behind this holiday is more of sacrifice than a responsibility.  The concept, regarless of creed, is to reflect upon self-improvement annually.

i have read and heard many different resolutions over the last few days.  everything from the usual quit smoking, lose weight, be more healthy to the more obscure paint my toe nails more often (i personally really liked this one) and not eating any healthy foods. 

like i said before if something is important enough to you it shouldn't have start on a certain date you should just do it.  with that said there are many things that i have been inspired to try to do this year.  i recently watched the movie "Julie and Julia", i loved the idea of taking a cookbook and making everything out of it.  i may give this a try.  i am not sure that my kiddos will enjoy this venture and to be honest i may not enjoy all the things i am going to eat, but it will be an adventure for sure.  i would like to read more.  i already read a ton, everyday in fact, but reading is a passion of mine and i would like to make more time for it.  i also watched the movie, "Eat Pray Love" and would like to learn how to meditate.  i think i would really benefit from being able to "quiet my mind".  there are days that i would like to open up my head and remove my brain, it just drives me crazy!! some other random things would be; be more spontaneous, drink more water, eat more vegetables, be a better friend.

something that i need to do today and for the rest of my life is to encourage my children to grow.  a good friend of mine describes children as small adults and they should be treated that way. we don't spend our days bossing other adults around and expecting them to do everything we want them to, so why do we expect that of children?  sometimes, well honestly a lot of times,  in a rush to get things done efficiently, i miss the opportunity to help my children learn about their environment how to make breakfast or how to tie their shoes (yes i have a 7 year old who can't tie his shoes, because i am a lazy parent).  it is hard to slow down and allow my children to make mistakes and learn from them.  it is much easier to do it all and have more time to play.

so there are many things that i have been inspired to try not sure i will get any of them done.  i will do my best, that is all i can expect of myself, my children and of others.