What I love about blogging is being able to scroll through my past weeks, months, years, refreshing my tired memory on the details of my life.
What annoys me about blogging is finding discrepancies and contradictions in my own words.
Yesterday, out of curiosity, I glanced at my entries for January 2010. To my surprise, I actually made Resolutions last year, despite my vow this year that I never do!
Worried I was a complete and total baldfaced liar, I went back to check on January 2009, and was relieved to see that, back then, I only set some loose "goals":
"I don't really make "Resolutions" with a capital "R", but this morning I thought of some things I need to improve on in the next year (cleaning, staying organized, getting enough sleep), things I want to spend more time doing (playing my drums, reading, writing, talking to friends and family), and things I already do that I need to continue (working out, walking, praying, eating right, doing things for others, indulging myself) and today I'm trying to fit them all in."
Okay, you're right. Those sound like Resolutions to me, too. Obviously, I am a complete liar. I guess this year I should resolve to check my facts before making assertions.
But first, since my lie has been exposed, I want to take a look at last year's and see how well I did:
- I didn't finish writing my book, not even my first draft, much less sell it. I made progress, though. Do I get points for that?
- I didn't pay off bills, not by a long shot, but I made a dent. I worked more hours, took on another job (selling Silpada jewelry - interested? Contact me!), and cut expenses (read "Breaking Up is Hard to Do" - but grab a tissue first!)
- I have visited my parents almost once a month this past year. (I say almost because there might have been one I missed and remember, my new resolution is to stop lying.)
- I'm a total flop on getting more organized ... sigh ... although I did clear out quite a bit and donate it all to Goodwill. Still, there's so much more to do in this area...
- "Read SIX books." That one just makes me laugh. I might have six started, but that's not what I meant.
- I have continued good habits I had already started ... keeping in touch with family and friends (being a Facebook addict actually helped me on something!), blogging regularly, even starting a second blog (again, addiction-driven, but as far as addictions go, better than some others I can think of!), and maintaining my routine work-outs to stay in shape (the alternative scares me, what with the menopausal demons lingering nearby. Fear has its motivating place, obviously.)
Over the past year I've made new friends but helplessly watched others slip away. This time last year I was still laughing at Frankie, my funny little guinea fowl, but mourning Charly Dog. Now I'm mourning Frankie (and Charly Dog) and laughing at Belle's antics ... while watching Max turn into the old-man-dog.
What a difference a year can make, right? I'm reminded, again, not to take anything for granted. I hope I actually learn it one day.
Hey, hey, hey ... I won't let another moment slip away ...
