My Resolution

For a few years now, I haven't really made new year's resolutions, but instead have made birthday goals that I want to achieve in the year from one birthday to another. Because that really is MY new year, right? (But I can't take credit for the concept - my friend/former co-worker Jason gave me the idea; he's been doing it for years!)

You may remember my "27 things" list (for which I need to check my progress!) which I am certainly going to continue working on, but this year, I'm going to make a resolution as well. Unlike small, specific goals, for which I always write out the steps I'll take to achieve it, the tools I'll need, support people, a time frame, and progress measures, etc., I'm going to think of my resolution differently. It's less of a goal, and more of a guiding focus.

So what will that focus be?

I've always been a dreamer and a planner. I can't remember ever not thinking ahead and making plans, even as a little girl. And I think that characteristic has served me well. It has been instrumental in my achieving the goals I set.

However, I've come to realize that, like almost everything, too much of a good thing is not such a good thing. While my tendency to plan and dream is certainly an asset, if I become too focused on the future, I miss out on the beauty of the present.

Therefore, my resolution for 2009 is to appreciate, honor, and experience the HERE and NOW. To be PRESENT.



I can think of many times in my life already that I haven't fully appreciated because I was too focused on thinking ahead. I blew through my senior year of high school thinking of how cool college would be. In college I thought of being a working woman and getting married. In both of my careers I thought of the next.

In my life right now, it would be very easy to get caught up in too much future thinking - and worrying! And that's really pointless. I want to fully appreciate my life NOW. I am in such a unique, awesome, challenging, but FUN phase of life! I want to truly experience the opportunities I have. I am married without kids, a full-time law student, an apartment-dweller, a Weight Watchers member, and a budding yogi. Life will NOT be better when I am a mother, a lawyer, a home-owner, a thin "Lifetime" member at my goal weight, and a seasoned yoga practitioner. It WILL be different then, but not necessarily better - every phase of life has its benefits and challenges, and rather than judge the phase I'm in and wish for greener grass, I want to honor now for what it is.

My aim is to appreciate the benefits and meet the challenges HERE and NOW, and to fully be PRESENT in the beautiful life I'm living.

Here's to being present in 2009!