Resolute

Well, as I look back at the last year (not to mention the last month) I ask myself: where the hell did the time go, and what the hell happened?

I have never been one to come up with some creative resolutions that I'm sure to bust 10 days into the New Year. Frankly (or as my friend Chrissie said when I was in college "Dave Frankly"), I'm agin' 'em.

But, since this is the last day of the year, and I've already expressed my thanks earlier during the appropriate season, I can't help but to yet again try my hand at resolutions. Only one year, and that was in 2004, did I ever keep my New Year resolution: that I would change something. Now I know that this seems rather broad, and it's no surprise to those who know me to know that in general, I paint in very BROAD swaths. In 2004, I changed companies that I worked for, I changed church jobs, I changed the group of friends that I associated with, I stopped working at a bar, and I attempted to get my life in order. I'd say, looking back, those were some monumental changes. I'm not one to up and just change things at a whim.

Well, here we are on the cusp of one year and the apex of another (albeit annus horribilis). And I ponder...

What shall I do?

Well, for 2009, I've decided I'm going to be a better person. I'm going to try harder to be thoughtful. I'm going to think of others. I'm going to try to stay better in touch with friends and my immediate family. I thought that would be a good place to start.

I'm going to try to lose the mountain of mass I've accumulated on myself over the last 3 years. I'm going to become more active. I'm going to cut down on the amount of running around that I do. I'm going to make my life simpler. And I'm going to enjoy the ride, and notice the scenery around me.

And....finally, I'm going to improve in trying to be happier, no matter how tall the order may be.

Hopefully by January 5th I'll still be on track, but please....don't hold your breath. You might turn blue.