How is this year almost over? 2000 was a sandstorm: fierce and quick.
I’ve done so much this year. I’ve grown so much. I saw LA, California. I moved into a great house. I got promoted to my dream job. I discovered that dreams aren’t always what you wish them to be. I went to Disney. Twice! I saw one of my childhood friends get married. I realized I’m no where near that stage. I traveled alone and did more than get through it - I loved it. I made great new friends. I started writing for me again. I lost my PaPa. I saw my family change from the inside out when two little Indians arrived. I realized I’ll stop dreaming of a sunny home, because I will live and I will love and I will survive in this Ohio. And now I can smile when I see the land stretched out flat before me. Now I can let my heart swell when I see the corn stretching its husky fingers toward God, and the soy sunning itself gold. Now I can breathe deep when I smell the soil mixing with the farmer’s hand.
And what of 2001? What of this year that breaks us into a twenty-first century? How will I leave my handprint upon her?
I’ve never been a big resolution maker. I rarely keep them because I rarely try to. They just seem like something one does because everyone else does. But it’s been 2000 years since the birth of Christ. 2000 years since the world changed forever. And in this one year, above all else, I resolve to remember that I’m given day after day after day to continue that change. To implement little tiny revolutions – of the heart, of the flesh, of the spirit.
And in every small and big way, in 2001 I resolve to:
o be more mindful of other’s feelings
o search out my gift and use it
o sing more and worry less about how I sound
o write more letters
o update more often
o pray more
o build a more emotionally intimate relationship with my father
o visit my grandmother at least twice a month
o be less moody
o chronicle my family history
o focus on things that matter instead of things that don’t
o be less dramatic
o worry less and dream more
o work at feeling healthy
o learn how to cook
o love Montego more
o get my debt paid off
o simplify my materialistic life
o study, not just read
o love stronger
o laugh harder
o cry softer
Happy New Year.
