Making Resolutions

I have never been a huge fan of goal-setting probably because I have never been very good at the whole follow through thing. Like most people that set goals for the New Year, I find that after setting rather lofty (and most of the time unachievable) goals, I soon become overwhelmed and slip back into my old habits. And when I fail, I feel angry and disappointed with myself because of my lack of discipline. So, a few years ago I decide to stop making New Year’s resolutions. I have adopted the following theory:

“He who breaks a resolution is a weakling; he who makes one is a fool” (Knowles).

Now, this is not to say that I never set goals and never achieve them, I just think that the idea of setting goals just because it’s the New Year is silly. When I identify and area for improvement in my life I try to break the habit and make the change as soon as possible. I have found that New Year’s goals let you say “I won’t think about that today; I’ll think about it tomorrow”; it’s just too easy to say you will start making improvements next year, next month, etc.

The end of the year is quickly approaching and I find myself thinking back over the last 363 days and trying to decide if I have made good use of the time I have been given. It has been a phenomenal year, and although I know I have many changes and improvements to make, I am still very pleased with this past year and what I have done with it. (Guess I should be—it’s not like I can re-do it if I am not.)

I hope 2009 will be as wonderful a year as 2008 has been.

When the magic fades

Yesterday was Christmas. Today I am 23 years old.

As a child this time of year was so special—magical even. I would wake up on Christmas Eve with butterflies in my stomach, my head full of all sorts of hopes and dreams for Christmas day.

I would reluctantly go to bed that night and lay awake waiting for the sounds of flying reindeer and sleigh bells. In the early morning hours I would sneak out of bed to survey the tree—all the gifts and treasures which had magically appeared. Then, impatiently, I would wait in my room watching the clock wishing and willing it to display the pre-approved wakeup time (set by Mom & Dad). Then, when the time had at last come, I would rush to my parent’s room. “Wake up; he came—Santa came. Can we get up now? Pleease?!” I wish Christmas held that kind of joy for me now.

This Christmas, like the past few, was less magical then those of my childhood. Each year as Christmas time approaches I feel a small rush of excitement as I remember Christmases of my childhood and secretly hope for the magic to return. Yet, sadly, with each successive year, the magic fades just a bit more and as I clear away the wrapping paper and bows, put away the tree and lights I am left with a little void inside, a part of me longing for the season to last a little longer.

For me, today, my birthday marks the end of the season, the end of a year. I have so many hopes and dreams for my life, my family, my future. My life is not what I pictured it would be like when I turned 23 but that’s alright; I have found that often different is better than anything I could have dreamed up or pictured.

And so, today, as I pack away Christmas and start a brand new year I look forward to the surprises, excitement and new adventures that will come my way. I am so excited for the day when it will be my turn to create the magic of the season for my own family.

366 days and counting

Monday was our first anniversary—one year, wow, that came fast.

Due to finals, and the bitter weather our celebrations were rather subdued but, that was ok with me. We went out to dinner, then home where we enjoyed an episode of Chuck before the studying commenced.

I told Tyler I didn’t want to exchange gifts or make a huge deal because we had a lot going on and really we couldn’t afford a big deal. Besides that, I kind of think it is silly to make such a huge deal about one day. So the 15^th meant one year—did that make it so much more special than the 14^th or the 16^th? I am so much like my father it’s scary; he always used to the same thing about Valentine’s Day. Being told that you’re loved is nice but it means so more when it is spontaneous instead of done out of obligation of the occasion.

I used to think I was a romantic but upon reflection I have decided that I am probably too practical to be a romantic—I love the idea of romance but don’t want to put in the time and effort it requires. Oh well, one less think for Tyler to have to worry about I guess.

One year, it’s amazing how quickly the time has passed. This past year has been a lot of hard work but has also been unbelievably fun. I had no idea how little I knew about Tyler when I married him—although it was probably better that way (for us both)!

So, here’s to us! I hope that every year is as wonderful as this first one has been.

Ode to the Under Appreciated Christmas Songs

Its Christmas time, its Christmas time

You will hear the songs chime,

On the radio, on the tube, and of course in the store

You’ll find fun-loving people humming the score,

Of favorites and classics, the old and the new

With so much cheer how could someone feel blue?

There may still be some left out of our fun

Perhaps those other holiday tunes that we shun?

The songs we know, but never sing

Since the lyrics or artists are not so mainstream.

Oh you know the ones,

There may even be tons!

Of those holiday songs,

That’ve been unknowingly wronged.

There's a tale of dear Granny meeting a herd

Of flying Reindeer—yes that sound absurd!

There are songs sung by Muppets to name only some,

There are songs about hippos and teeth yet to come.

And so in honor of those neglected tunes

We invite you to listen to songs that are crooned

By Chipmunks and Frogs and Piggys that wear

High heels and dresses and have curly hair.

So listen and enjoy our collection of songs

For this holiday season—and please sing along!

Giving Thanks

The air is getting cold, the trees have become almost bare—it’s that time again—Thanksgiving is here. Lately my heart and mind have been filled with thoughts of home and family and the great many things that God has blessed me with.

I find it hard sometimes to get past all my selfish desires; I often get lost in the mundane daily tasks of life and allow my soul to be consumed by worry, regret, and selfishness. It’s hard to live a happy, health life constantly consumed by everything you don’t have. Haven’t you every noticed how easy you rest, how well you sleep, when you are truly happy and contented?

Rosemary Clooney prescribed a cure for such feelings, she sang, “when you’re worried and you can’t sleep just count you blessings instead of sheep and you’ll fall as sleep counting you blessings.” Counting your blessings is one of the best ways to drift into dreamland.

And so, every night for the past week, as I lay waiting for sleep to come, I have tried to reflect upon the greatest gifts I have been given in this life. At the top of the list I have placed the traditional Thanksgiving necessities: My husband, my immediate and extend families, the restored gospel, true friends, good health, freedom, a warm bed to sleep in, and food to eat.
Reflection has also led me to add: education, a good job, the gifts of sight and sound, and modern technology (communication and medical). And I must not forget some of those silly things that make my life so convenient like: indoor plumbing, microwaves, washers/dyers, cars, and tide pens.

I truly have been blessed. May I learn to be truly grateful of those things I have been given.