Differently

It's a new year.

Happy New Year!  I’m not one of those sadists who think you can’t wish someone a happy new year after January 3.  There’s a lot of pain in those people's lives, so let’s pray for them or think good thoughts while the rest of us do our best to live in happier places.

I don’t “do” resolutions.  As many of us can attest, I’ve tried and failed.  Not numerous times, but enough to learn about myself.  Science has shown that if you want to change things about yourself, like losing weight or getting in better shape, you are more likely to adhere to a new regimen if you start it in spring, summer, or fall.  

If you were looking for a reason to procrastinate, well, you’re welcome.

Resolution has become a word with a lot of baggage.  I heard two people discussing the word repent, and that was the argument made that it too has way too much baggage.  The way the word was written in the original languages, Greek and Hebrew, the word meant to change or turn around.

So I use “differently”.  What can you do differently this year?  We all know the definition of crazy:  Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.  That’s what I asked on my social media outlets, what will you do differently this year?

Kris was astute:  Not making resolutions but adding habits.  That’s clever.

Lynda declared that she was at the age where that ship has sailed, and this old dog has learned all the tricks she needs.

Others:

Not writing last year’s number on this year’s checks.  Which leads me to this:  who writes checks?  I had to write one last year for a service call, and I honestly had to take a second to remember how to do it.  The future comes at you fast.

Not sweating the small stuff.  Easier said, man, hard to do.  Good luck.

“I’m not buying cheap knick-knack stuff, it clutters everything up and I end up throwing it all away.  I can do that differently!”

Amanda decided to get serious about business by setting up her calendars for her businesses so people won’t miss appointments, and she will crack down on the cancellation fees.  I learned that this year, running your own business is harder than any of us think.  But it’s so cool when it all comes together!

Here’s a winner:  “2023 was such a good year I don’t think I should change the formula!” In the words of Napoleon Dynamite “Gosh, lucky!”

“I’m going to try and be more patient.  My husband has one speed and it drives me nuts”.

“If I can’t control it, then I’m not stressing about it”.

“Travel more.”  I get that, we are trying to do more experiences and fewer “things.”

“Work on my memory, I have sometimers.  Sometime I remember, sometimes I don’t.”

My buddy Sam simply put “The usual.”  Ha, I love that.

There are those of you who hope to face challenges differently this year.  Denis wants to work on some health problems so he can move better to play with his grandkids.  Craig is going to drink less.  Jennifer aims to stay cancer-free.  You are all in my prayers.  

The battle of the bulge will never stop.  Some answers:  “Eat less, walk more”.  “Eat better one day at a time.”  “I will try not to go three straight days without exercising”.  Fight on my friends, fight on.

There’s also the battle in our brains.  “I will keep promises I make to myself.”  “I will be my own best friend.”  “Try to be better at retirement.”

Nikki was eloquent.  “My word of the year is present.  With social media and distractions so prevalent, engaging our little ones is more important than ever.” 

You guys are so amazing.  I learn from you every day, I truly do.  Gennie shared this:

Find the silver lining in things.  Going to try harder to remember everyone is fighting a battle that nobody knows, so no matter how kind I think I am, I can be even more kind.  Also trying not to judge someone else’s bruises against mine…our bruises may vary in size and color but they are both still bruises that were caused by trauma, so I should care for their bruises and not judge them.

Whoa, yes, that.

We are all trying our best.  That’s all that can be asked.  Give yourself a break, act like a friend to yourself.  Doubts fill all of us, as does unjustified confidence.  Humans are weird and wonderful like that.  I hope this is an amazing year for all of us.  I wish you good health and peace.  

I will ask at the end of the year what awesome things happened, and I can’t wait to hear your answers!