Mission Statement

I have never actually written down a formal list of New Year's resolutions, and I am declining to do so once again this year.  It seems so quantitative -  X amount of pounds, X amount of dollars saved, X number of drinks per week... It seems a huge set up for failure.  It's all a bit too cut and dry.

Instead, I woke up this morning with Jerry Maguire on my mind.  Remember how he did a mission statement?  Not a memo, a mission statement.

 

Instead of formulaic resolutions, how about a mission statement for me?

2012 was a hard year.  Damn, was it a hard year.  But it was also a year of immense growth.  And in keeping with that theme, how can I make myself a better person in 2013?  What can I do to bring serenity to my world?

I am no longer kidding myself - there's a lot out of my control.  2013 could bring challenge, bliss, and surprises of all kinds.  Who knows?

But, on this 2013 journey, my mission is this:

To take things less seriously.
To breathe.
To cut people a bit more slack.
To cut myself a bit more slack.
To try to see the good in people instead of the bad, recognizing that everyone, including myself, is made up of a bit of each.
To be more forgiving.
To write more.
To read more.
To dream more.
To let go of some fears.  And if I can't, to feel the fear and do it anyway.
To take some risks.
To forgive myself if they don't pay off.
To cry if I I need to.
To relax.
To take a nap if the opportunity presents itself.
To open myself up to new people, new things, and new experiences I never considered.
To go outside and take it all in every once in a while.
To swim like I did when I was a kid.
To jump off the diving board.
To hug a tree.
To have fun.
To be present.
To care a bit more about the world outside of myself.
To do something to positively impact the world outside myself.
To make an effort.
To smile at strangers.
To reach out.
To pick up the phone.
To hold those I love close.
To lay in bed with my kids after they fall asleep.
To watch old home movies every once in a while.
To feel gratitude.
To appreciate each moment.
To live in each moment.
To love hard.
To let happiness wash over me.

To embrace and accept whatever 2013 has in store for me.

It's going to be a good year.