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!
