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Monday, January 04, 2016

CJ Carmichael: How Harry Porter helped with my New Year Resolutions

Christmas is a chaotic time of year at our house, mostly because we (Mike would say I) choose to make it that way. I love to decorate our house, to buy and wrap gifts, and to bake special treats (even if everyone is cutting back on sweets these days). This year Mike and I made it even more crazy by deciding to get married on December 27.

We had our reasons for picking this date—mainly because Mike’s daughters from Nova Scotia and Montreal, and my father from Saskatchewan, were going to be coming to Calgary for the holidays and this way they wouldn’t need to make a special trip—but I don’t think either of us were prepared for just how exhausting it would be to combine two such momentous events into less than a week!

I’m happy to report that everything went well, both Christmas and the wedding. (Check Facebook for photos. I’ll be posting more soon.) But once the last out-of-town guest left town, we were ready to veg. We decide to combine an afternoon cross-country ski in the Rocky Mountains with a marathon session of watching Harry Potter Movies. Tonight we just finished Movie Four: The Order of the Phoenix, and when it was over, I realized that thanks to Dumbledore and Sirius Black I had found my three resolutions for 2016:

Resolution #1:

 Every year I make choices about what stories I’m going to write. Sometimes these choices have been driven by book contracts, market trends, or other such external factors. This year I’m going to write stories that stretch my abilities. I’m going to strive for excellence, for honesty, and at the same time let my imagination soar.

Resolution #2:


Sometimes I am too much swayed by my desire to get along with others, to be helpful and, yes, liked. This year I want to focus on standing up for what is important to me. More than anything, this means spending my time on activities and people that matter to me, rather than taking on projects to please others.

Resolution #3:


I admit I’m someone who loves to dream. Reading and writing are extensions of this love...but it is possible to live too much inside your own head. I want to pack this year with my beloved hiking and skiing adventures...and this year I want to start journaling these adventures, as a way to truly focus on each unique experience.

Resolved...to keep resolving

I’ve always enjoyed making resolutions and setting goals for myself at the beginning of each year. I realize not everyone does. But I feel, even if I make 80% of my goals by the end of the year, or even 50%, at least progress has been made.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. And if you’re the sort who likes to make resolutions, I’d love to hear what they are. Share below and I’ll choose one random commenter to receive a $10 Starbucks gift card. (Cause if we’re going to keep our resolutions, we’re going to need coffee...)

Happy 2016!



11 comments:

Laurie G said...

I start out with a resolution to change something. I start out succeeding but then life interferes and time gets away from me. This year I will get all of my reviews posted in a timely matter.

dstoutholcomb said...

I don't make resolutions, but I do love Harry Potter quotes!

Congratulations on your new marriage. I wish you many years of happiness!

Denise

petite said...

Congratulations and best wishes. Much happiness and more adventures. I don't make resolutions but try to accomplish goals which are family oriented.

Laney4 said...

I have a word of the year I try to keep in mind. It has been ruthless (as in getting rid of as much "stuff" around the house as possible), balance (as in doing things for others, but adding more things for me to be done too), and cleanse (as in purging myself from toxic friends and "stuff"). This year my word is "Nike" (as in "Just Do It" - because I have ONE word of the year and not three, LOL). So far so good, but it IS, after all, only Jan 4!
Good luck with your resolutions, and all the best with your marriage. Our 35th anniversary is this year - and it gets better every year (well ... now that the kids are grown up, I can say that, but we DID have some bumpy years in the nineties).
Much love....

traveler said...

I never make resolutions. Instead I work on daily progress in many areas. Congratulations on your marriage and many wonderful years together.

joye said...

My resolution this year is the same as last year which I met. It is to read 10 new authors I have yet to read.
Last year I discovered some very good writers.
My other resolution is to read the complete works of Hemingway. I read some of his already.
jwisley(at)aol(dot)com

Di said...

I've got my usual resolutions - keep improving my diet and move more (I've been inspired by Dick Van Dyke - he's got a new book 'Keep Moving') do between the two of those I hope to drop a few pounds.
Congrats on surviving (& enjoying) those two big events in December and here's to a happy and healthy 2016!
sallans d at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

Not sure it is a new year's resolution but more of a general life thing. Try to put forth your best.
little lamb lst at yahoo dot com

Ada said...

I've stop making resolutions. Too often, it's seen as a failure when you can't stick to it. I'd rather make goals I can achieve!!

ahui89 at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

Laurie G. is the winner of the $10 Starbucks gift card giveaway. Laurie hope the coffee helps you keep your New Year's resolution! :)

(Laurie please send me your email addie. Contact me via my website: cjcarmichael dot com)

Thanks everyone for your comments. Whether you make resolutions or not, I hope 2016 is a wonderful year for you all.

Cheers,
CJ

Unknown said...

Di, I think I might have to check out that book by Dick Van Dyke. Thanks for the tip!

Joye, I love your goal of reading 10 new authors every year. I hope to do that, too.

Laney, I do a similar thing. My word this year is "Balance".

thanks everyone for your good wishes for my marriage and the new year.