Letting Go

For the first time in years, I wrote a list of New Year's resolutions on January 1.  Or maybe it's more a to-do list for the New Year.  Ironically, I wrote it on the back of an envelope.  My husband, thinking it was garbage, almost threw it out.  And maybe it was garbage, but I don't usually figure that out about New Year's resolutions until about January 15.

Anyway, here's my list.  Most of it is pretty typical, I think.

1. Organize my files.  You should see my husband's file drawer.  If I didn't know better, I'd think he irons his paperwork.
2. Stick to my budget.  Always important to do, but especially important in this economy.
3. Exercise more.  I know I always feel great after I work out - why is it so hard to remember that?
   
4. Finalize our last will and testament, as well as some other financial planning items.  This is my husband's goal, too, but I know it will fall to me to get it done.
5. Finish the short story I've been working on with my older son.
6. Figure out what I'm going to do career-wise after son number 2 starts school next year.
7. Start - and hopefully finish - writing that book I've been contemplating.  If I can ever find the time.
   
8. Catch up on my scrap booking (I still have to put together last year's albums), sort and store my kids' memorabilia in their "memory boxes" rather than the brown paper bags my husband shoved it all into after I let it pile up a bit.
   
9. Don't let little things get to me. 
   
10. Take a look at, and then let go of, some metaphorical baggage.  As long as I'm getting my house in order, I should take a look at my head and heart, too.
    

This last item required me to sit quietly and figure out what really ticks me off or makes my heart ache.  I'm sure there's a lot more for me to wade through in the cobwebbed recesses of my mind, but I decided I should set myself up for success and keep the list small.  I won't bore you with the details, but I boiled #10 down to three things that I think have really been holding me back.  These things have made me miserable from time to time over a multi-year period.  Why am I dragging all of this around??

Resolving these three issues will involve planning (knowing myself as I do), forgiveness (of myself and others), a more positive attitude (to shake some of it off), some discipline (as with everything in life) and some spirituality (offering difficult things up).  I've always been a believer that God helps those who help themselves, so I'm taking the time to do whatever I can to alleviate my burden, then plan to ask for help.

I want 2010 to be my happiest year yet.  With a little hard work, it just might be.