New Year's Resolutions

It's the first week of 2008...so I guess there is still time to write my new year's resolutions...not sure I'm in the resolution writing frame of mind right now...I may need more time to think about my resolutions...but, I really should make some resolutions for 2008...after all...it is my 50th year...should I write down 50 resolutions in honor of my 50th year...no...I don't think so.

I was intrigued by the resolution writing I read the other day in the Blogher newsletter. Lisa from Blogher said she writes her resolutions in what she calls 'The Matrix.' Here's what she said to do: "Across the top of the page write the months of the year. Down the left-hand side draw up the bucketfuls of life you want to live in the coming year. These buckets may change in order, but they're nearly always the same" (let's see...can I do this...am I able to do this 'Matrix' exercise during the end of my 49th year...just 5 days shy of 50...let's see what this 'Matrix' is all about):

Heart - Lisa says this is about what you want to accomplish for yourself and your family...I want to mend, to heal, to support my children during this difficult year of grieving and mourning the loss of my husband...my children's father...my big love...yes...this is the year to heal my broken heart...put it back together again.

Family - Lisa says these are the key things to do with extended family and friends...I want to be there for my family and friends...and open up and let them be there to help me too...no more superwoman (I still like Alicia Keys'new superwoman song...and I may still sing the words as I hum the tune...but unlike Alicia who sings about 'putting on her vest with the S on her chest'...that's not me...no...I'm taking off my vest with the S on my chest...I'm not gonna fly...I'm packing up my superwoman cape too...and keeping my feet firmly planted for my 50th year.

Spirit - Lisa says this is about giving back financially and personally...I want to do that...I need to do more volunteer work...I need to give back financially too...I need to think about how I'm going to give back to the community and communities that need my help...maybe that will help me heal too.

Wallet - What are the items I am forced to worry about this year? Lisa didn't have any answers for this one...not sure I do either...although, I do have a new set of college tuition bills to look forward to this year...once my son goes off to college...and I likely have other items to worry about that my husband used to take care of around the house...but I guess I can't worry about the items I don't know about...good thing my husband didn't tell me all his secrets...less worries to worry about.

Health - I like this one...according to Lisa...this is about taking care of my body...so that I can do all these other things...my new year's health resolution is to continue my monthly facials...take care of those wrinkles...go to the gym at least twice a week...maybe try yoga...maybe try that spin class...maybe not...maybe train for a marathon...maybe not...keep taking my vitamins...every day.

Create - What am I going to sew, make, paint this year...oh Lisa...I like this one...I like creating...this one is fun...let's see...I definitely want to sew something this year...make a skirt...a form fitted skirt...and maybe I will paint my closet...or the dirty wall in my basement...or maybe I'll take a painting class...or an art class...or a sewing class...yes...I really like creating...so many things to create.

Work - This is what I'm going to do at the office...I think I'm going to try to spend more time working all the other resolutions...spend a few less overtime hours working at the office...in my 50th year...I will work hard...but I am also going to spend more time on my other new year's resolutions: more heart...more family...more spirit...more health...more creating...and less wallet...definitely less worrying.

Write - Lisa says she learned the hard way in 2007 that if she tried to lump writing in with creating or working, it came last...I agree...I'm going to spend more time writing too...I'm going to finish my year to 50...I'm going to write my book...and maybe I'll start another blog...maybe I'll call it 'day by day'...or maybe I'll call it 'life after 50'...or maybe I'll just wait and see what I want to call it...no need to resolve this resolution right now.

I like this 'Matrix' approach...why limit myself to one or two new year's resolutions...who's counting...not me...I'm just counting down my days to my 50th birthday...five to go...five to go.

Judi