Resolutions

I'm making one and only one resolution for 2008:

No matter what it takes, I will have enough vacation time on the books to take off Dec. 26th

Unless we get it off anyway.

Coming into work yesterday sucked and blew. Plus I forgot to bring my new CDs so I didn't even get to listen to my new music. And I forgot them today too. Grrr.

Seriously, I've worked hard to get out of the resolution business. I think it's pretty natural to look backward and forward at the end of the year and think about how things would'a/could'a/should'a been different. I know I'm lucky that I don't have any major addictions or issues that require a drastic lifestyle change*; if there's something like that going on, the New Year is as good a time as any to make radical change. However, I used to resolve to change the same piddly things year after year. I finally realized that that sounded suspiciously like a pattern or cycle that would probably continue regardless of what I did or didn't say.

For example, every year I used to resolve with all good intention that as soon as I pulled out of my winter hibernation, I would lose the same 10 lbs I lost (almost) every year. After a couple of decades of that, I did a reality check: I'm going to gain it and I'm going to lose it, again, and again, and again. Why treat myself to an extra helping of failure by promising myself that this year will be different? I can take steps to not let it get any worse, but as long as I live in the Land of the Short Winter Days, my mammalian heritage will run true and my size will fluctuate from my fat pants to my slightly-less-fat pants.

So in an attempt to stop "should-ing" all over myself, I'm looking back and appreciating the changes I've made over the past year.

• I bought a stand-up desk for my office at work a few months back. I figure that each minute I spend off of my ass can only help in my endless quest to become more physically active.
  
• I stopped buying water in plastic bottles. It saves $$ and generates less trash, to boot.
  
• I stopped stocking soda at my house. Again, more cash, less trash.
  
• I cut way back on artificial sweeteners**.
  
• I tried to bring home fewer plastic grocery bags.
  
• I recycled more of my household trash.
  
• This Christmas, I bought a living tree in a pot to keep as an outside pet -- like a giant bonsai -- with the goal of using it for a few more Christmases until it retires to Mr. B's yard.

Yeah, all little things, but I feel like I'm staying true to my long-term goal of doing the best that I can at the time. Hey, now that's a totally generic, low-pressure, practically failure-proof resolution!
;)

*Not that I know of....

**Prediction: In The Future, it will be determined that artificial sweeteners provide minimal net advantage over regular sugar, honey, or other "natural" sweeteners. I'm convinced that overuse of the low-calorie substitutes affects the body's insulin in a way that pretty much counteracts the reduced calorie intake. Betcha a nickel!