For years, I made them. New Year’s Resolutions. Those guilt-laden, promise-breaking events that happen on (or around) every January first (insert any given year, here).
Yeah, for years, I broke every single one of them. I made a resolution to exercise.
I made a resolution to lose weight.
I made a resolution to get to work earlier every day so I could get more work done. (That’s the only one I really kept).
I made a resolution to call my mother/family more often.
You see where this is going, don’t you? Finally, one year, I didn’t make any resolution at all. That was a relief! But, as my mind had all this free time to spend in not feeling guilty and ashamed, well, I began to plot. Not just the usual characters and story lines that have plagued me through the years, but what if—what if—yes! Eureka!
What if I zeroed in on something I could do—a resolution that was a no-brainer? An assured item to place on my agenda that I could actually adhere to?
I’ve done that ever since. I’m sorry I didn’t write them down through the years, but these are a few examples of the resolutions that I have not only kept, but have never been tempted not to keep:
| 1. | I resolved to give up my political career. Yep—that pesky notion I got every time an election rolled around to run right down to the election office and print my name on a form and slap down the fee for the privilege of getting publicly raked over the coals. Yeah—that one was gone and I never looked back. | |
| 2. | I resolved to give up pickled beets. Yes, I know there are tons of people who love pickled beets. I can’t count myself as one of them. Come on—they’re purple. Look, if you love pickled beets, I’ll make a deal with you. I’ll trade my pickled beets (and my nonexistent political career) for your broccoli or whatever vegetable you don’t like. (I’ll eat most any vegetable except pickled beets—resolution, you know). | |
| 3. | I resolved to quit smoking. Having never smoked anything (it’s true, I have terrible allergies) that one was a piece of cake. (No, I can’t give up cake. Birthdays, anniversaries, those pesky waiters who ask if you’re celebrating an event? That stuff will hound you until the end of time!) I recall at least one occasion years ago when friends informed the waiter at Red Lobster that it was my birthday. I suffered through the wearing of a foam rubber crustacean perched on my head while they all sang happy birthday. I was pissed. I don’t look good in crustacean. | |
| 4. | This past year, I resolved to give up my aspirations to be an Olympic Athlete. At my age, even curling is no longer an option, although at one point I did wield a mean broom. That’s it. I find something I can do—a resolution I can keep with no trouble. I feel less guilt and I have more time to write. It’s all good! |
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Reinvention/Reincarnation. Those words describe Connie best. She has worked as a janitor, a waitress, a mower of lawns and house cleaner, a clerk, secretary, teacher, bookseller and (finally) an author. The last occupation is the best one, because she sees it as a labor of love and therefore no labor at all.
Connie has lived in Oklahoma all her life, with brief forays into other states for visits. She and her husband have been married for more years than she prefers to tell and together they have one son. |
| After earning an MFA in Film Production and Animation from the University of Oklahoma, Connie taught courses in those subjects for a few years before taking a job as a manager for Borders. When she left the company in 2007, she fully intended to find a desk job somewhere. She found the job. And the desk. At home, writing.
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About the Blogger
I review Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance books with a focus all things werewolf. Based out of Ottawa, Canada
Owner, designer and main blogger behind Rabid Reads. Avid book reader, snowboard bunny, video gamer and Supernatural fan. I love all things paranormal, werewolves especially. Oh, and I’m Canadian, eh!
I took the resultion to work on my shyness and while i’m still working on it i think i’ve kept it after all i started my blog for example^^ ( a big step for me) and i contacted my first author this year too
happy holidays
One of my resolutions (asides from the regular ones) is to keep things simple and not to stress about stuff. It really makes a difference in my life.
I have never really kept my new years resolutions. I have always broke them.
The last resolution I’ve kept, was to not let others bother me with their expectations for me or their unfriendliness. I wanted to focus on myseld and the peolpe around me, that love me without telling me how to live my life.
I’m happy, I almost succeded… (well, sometimes it still bothers me… But let’s keep that secret between us. 😉 )
To say no & stick with it.
I’ve never kept a New Year’s resolution.
I have made a few, to practice sports, to get all my homework done, to jog a bit, never kept one. i did hold my family accountable to theirs though…
Quit smoking
To get healthier.
I would like to lose some weight.
I don’t keep my New Year resolutions, so I no longer make them.
Thanks for the fun post and giveaway! I’d have to say set and meet my goodreads reading goal 🙂
My last new’s years resolution, which was to make it on the Honor’s list at school! I got in with an 85% average!! WOOT WOOT!! 🙂
Great post! I resolve to keep reading because it is the only activity I do that keeps me sane! Happy Holidays and thanks for the contest.
A long time ago, I made a resolution to start exercising so that I’d be healthy as I got older. It’s been 25 yrs and I’m still working out at least 4 days a week.
I don´t give New Years resolutions, but one great thing i´ve done, is to quit smoking, (feb. 2002) the best thing i´ve ever done (so far)
Thanks for the giveaway & Happy Holidays!
//Linda
I quit smoking and work out every morning before work.
Happy Holidays & thanks for the amazing giveaway!
elizabeth @ bookattict . com
I used to have New Year’s resolution when I was younger but gave up because I wasn’t keeping them! 🙂