I don’t do resolutions. It’s just setting yourself up for failure. I would never say “I’m going on a diet–no sugar!” or “I’m going to work out five times a week!” Just no.
I MIGHT say, “I only want two doughnuts” or “I think I’ll go to spin class today, I had a large waffle fries from Chickalay.” Or “I think I’ll just have a salad for supper, I had the 9 oz filet at lunch. I should probably do some yoga tonight.”

So, as much as I would like to lose weight, I’m not really ready to sacrifice my lifestyle and eating habits for it. Sure, my liver would like a month of just water, and my heart would definitely benefit from a white meat diet….but we only get one go at this. And if I’ve learned anything, it’s that when your number is up, it’s UP.

#1 Be Happy. I do a pretty good job of this, I think. I don’t like being depressed, and so often I will list in my head all the privileges I have. Some days my best moments are just watching TV with my dog. That may sound pathetic, but I remind myself I’m not out blowing money or shooting heroin, so there’s that. Nothing wrong with a simple life. My dog loves me, and what many of us forget is that we are our dog’s WHOLE LIFE. While we have work and friends and family, they only have us. So lets help them make it something special. Take them with you when you go pick up dinner. Maybe take them to the park (unless your dog is an asshole like mine). Buy them tennis balls and let them have all eighteen at once. Fix an extra chicken breast for a special dinner. Let them meet your company. Don’t lock them away.

#2 Let. It. Gooooooooo. There are some people you can’t make happy. Sometimes you just absolutely cannot jive with people you’ve known the better part of your life. Their morals and beliefs are just too different, or worse, they try to force them on you. Just cut communication the gentlest way and move on. It’s never going to get better. It’s not worth the headache and high blood pressure. Sometimes people just don’t approve of who you are as a person and that’s okay. They don’t have to.

#3 Cultivate and Immerse. Over the Christmas season, I had the pleasure of spending time with several friends I haven’t seen in years. And on these excursions, I ran into other friends I hadn’t seen in years. Serendipity, it’s called. I love it. I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with these friends and catching up on their lives. I would literally drive home in tears for how thankful and blessed I am to be able to lead this life. No strings. I can do as I please. Maybe I’m selfish. So be it. I wouldn’t trade it. There were times I wanted to stay in with a book and popcorn but I was always glad I got out once I did. I had a good time. And I am actively trying to continue seeing people this year. We need a network of friends to share life’s journey.