Next Year

Mrs. T. and I were but two of the twelve people at work today. Most everyone took the day off, if not the entire week. It was even quieter than normal – so peaceful that on my breaks, I began to ponder life goals for 2007.

I asked Mrs. T. if she had come up with any resolutions and, without even a pause, she said "joy, acceptance, witness". She reported that this came to her recently while she was in a deep, deep state of meditation (as she sat on the deck of her friend's beach house smoking cigarettes and playing spite and malice).

My resolutions will likely be less creative and more to the point. Rather than a broad term, like "joy", I’m more likely to be specific (for my own sake) and try to hone in on exactly what it is that gives me joy. And right now, being lighter and leaner is giving me joy. So you can be sure that more and varied exercise will be on my list. In fact, a trainer at my gym showed up at a party that Doc B. and I attended recently. Like a good salesperson, she convinced me that I needed to add weight-lifting back into my repertoire. Yes, the yoga and cardio are great, but the weights will build muscle and help me burn more calories. Before I knew it, I was enrolled in four training sessions starting in January.

And rather than a wide-ranging word like "acceptance", I’ll narrow that down to precise examples. One idea is to keep writing this blog as a way of putting myself out there with the hope that others will still accept me despite what I write. And it’s also a way of being more accepting of myself – even if others don’t care for my opinions or thoughts. Not having to worry about what others think would be a load off my mind and heart.

And as far as being a "witness" - so far, the only goal I can think of related to that one is perhaps making sure I don't get myself into any situations that would result in the need for a witness protection program. I'll have to get Mrs. T. to better explain that one to me.

Good luck to each of you in finding joy and acceptance in 2007 – and thanks Mrs. T. for the ideas.

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