Tuesday, 11 January 2011

Jumping on the Resolution Bandwagon

Every January 1, the Western world takes advantage of the new year to change bad habits, develop new ones, and accomplish life goals through the "New Year's Resolution." What exactly is a resolution? What makes it different from a goal list or to-do list?

Coming from the latin word resolutio, it implies a more serious decision that is cemented, determined, and "resolved" in one's mind. Goals may change with our financial circumstances, our wishes and aspirations. To-do lists are endlessly evolving as the demands of adult responsibility demand our time and attention throughout the year. In this understanding, then a New Year's resolution must be one that is firmly decided upon with a sense of purpose and planning. The word resolution is most often used in legal terminology when committees, legislatures or formal organizations vote on a specific intention. Should our New Year's resolutions therefore be considered with more seriousness than simply resolving to buy more fashionable clothes this year?

Then in the zeitgeist of making life-changing decisions for the new year, here is a review of 2010 and my list of determined resolutions for 2011.

In 2010, I...
  • Graduated from Hillsdale College with a TRIPLE major and great GPA (and had the time of my life all five years.)
  • Taught myself about Oenology from square one & wrote a thesis about it
  • Founded and built-up the marketing and management positions for the Historic Dawn Theater from ground zero
  • Invested in friendship with a bosom friend who has enriched my life tenfold
  • Made plans to move to Denver, Colorado
  • Bought my first car, which means I took out my very first bank loan too!
  • And started this blog

In 2011, I resolve to...
  • Move to Denver the date is set, February 7!
  • Land a full-time career which involves narrowing down exactly which field it is I want to pursue in Denver
  • Read more detox from technology more and pick up a book instead. I'm only taking 20 of my 3oo-something books with me to Denver, but thank heavens for paperbackswap.com and libraries.
  • Strengthen friendships and relationships call and write to my friends and family more often. I tend to be a type A recluse which means I will have to work even harder being long distance this next year.
  • Strengthen my faith through devotion in the word and through song. I'm looking forward to what Anglican churches I'll find in Denver.
  • Strengthen my body Gone are the glory days of playing Rugby or Football (i.e. Soccer) when I was at Oxford University. Apart from high-school, I was feeling great and looking great when I was abroad. Everyone resolves to lose weight for the new year, but for me, this needs to become a way of life!
  • Cook & Drink more Wine inspired by reading Julie & Julia and my expanding knowledge of oenology, there really is a fine art of cooking that I hope to discover this year. But keeping in mind the above resolution, all in moderation!
  • Look for adventure! One of my number one favorite past-times is when I've traveled the world. Now that I'm about to find myself in a new hometown, it's time to get out there and soak it all in.
  • Pursue the Fine Arts More now that I'll be in a metropolitan area I have available outlets for theater, singing and patronizing the arts. I will take full advantage of it! No excuses...
So those are my big resolutions. I have many small goals that could fit in any of the above categories, but that's not something I need to bother you with.

I have some really great thoughts ruminating in my mind for the next couple posts, so I promise they'll get more interesting from here.

p.s. I promise to make my posts more interactive with pictures, links & stuff!

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