A Rustic Home

The Best of Intentions

Life has been a bit chaotic as of late - a nasty bout with the flu, conflicting projects, the holidays and life in general – and somewhere along the way December became a blur. Oh dear reader, I had intended to offer you so much. There was the posting about 2007 in review – didn’t quite get there. There was last month’s newsletters – ugh, just didn’t happen. There were the New Year's Eve words of inspiration - uh, well - yea you get the point.

I did however get to spend some quality time in front of the TV. That should be enough to convince anyone to get out of the house. But, in my Nyquil induced stupor I watched lots of Southpark and Golden Girls (don’t ask). And, as the year wore down – I was struck by the number of times I was reminded it was time to begin “making your New Year’s resolutions.”

And these resolutions were often tied to something I could buy. Oh lucky me! There were “miracle” cures to help me lose those unwanted pounds. My favorite is the one that cautions you to only use it if you need to lose 20 or more pounds – because it’s that strong. Oh pleeeze - I think I threw the remote at that one. In addition, there were treadmills, dumbbells, Bowflexes, and countless other gadgets reminiscent of Suzanne Somers’ Thigh Master. Who buys this stuff?

Is it any wonder that people give up on resolutions shortly after they make them? How many of us have a myriad of products collecting dust in the basement. Oh admit it; you have ‘em! Remember, the stationary cycle with the knob the increased tension? Or was it the Abdominizer? Hey at least that one makes a great sled for the kids!

As I lay in bed coughing my brains out, I pledged 2008 would be a new year and a new me. I will eat better. Dust of the gym membership card. Even get up early and take the dog for a run. Ah, the best of intentions . . .

Yesterday, I managed to eat at both Roundtable Pizza and In and Out Burger. Not exactly off to a good start. Well, at least there is plenty of room for improvement. Yes, it’s a rocky start, but I haven’t given up. I do have a resolution: I give my self permission to Live Life Fully.

Rather than offer my simplistic take on 2008, I defer to a greater mind to guide you - Unitarian Minister William Ellery Channing said it best when he wrote:

To live content with small means, to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion, to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy not rich, to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly, to listen to stars and birds and babes and sages, with open heart, to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never--in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious grow up through the common.