It’s New Year’s resolutions time! Last year, I came up with a list of resolutions that were easy to keep, such as eating more dark chocolate. This year, I think I’d like to give myself and maybe you a little more of a challenge. So, here is a list of resolutions that we’d all be better off keeping. Even if we can’t manage all of them, if we can conquer one or two, we’ll have improved our respective corners of the world.
• Tell people how you really feel. I don’t mean you should tell them that, yes, their ass looks fat in those jeans, but rather you should tell people that you care about them. Tell them you appreciate them. Tell them you love them. People seem to be scared of the word “love,” but I think if we all started using it more about people, and less to describe things, the world would be a better place.
• Don’t hold back. If you’ve always wanted to try sky diving, then, by the beard of Thor, go jump out of a plane. If you’ve always wanted to walk up to that woman at work that you’ve had your eye on and ask her out, do it. Want to learn how to make pottery? Sculpt the hell out of that clay.
• Chase your happiness. Find out what makes you happy and do it. If you’re stuck in a job that you hate, find another one. The job market may be sluggish, but you have to at least try. If you’re in a situation you’re not happy with, whether it’s work or personal, and you aren’t actively doing anything to get out of it, then you’re the only person to blame for your crappy situation.
• Face your fear. We all get scared. Sometimes we’re scared about big things like dying. Other times we’re scared about little things like having a huge zit on our nose on a first date. Whatever your fear is, face it. Admit that you’re scared. Say it out loud. Tell another person. Then kick fear’s ass.
• Let go of your past. Do you find yourself constantly whining about something that happened 2 years ago? 5 years ago? 10 years ago? What the hell, dude? Roll all that sh!t into a ball and throw it out the window. If people have harmed you in the past, get some therapy for the big stuff, forgive the little stuff and let it go. By hanging on to it, you’re only hurting yourself.
So, let’s go conquer this year. Make it say your name. Have fun, grab life with both hands and enjoy the ride.
Rachel Birdsell is a freelance writer and artist. You can drop her a line at rabirdsell@gmail.com
Go Forth and Conquer
By Rachel Birdsell
It’s New Year’s resolutions time! Last year, I came up with a list of resolutions that were easy to keep, such as eating more dark chocolate. This year, I think I’d like to give myself and maybe you a little more of a challenge. So, here is a list of resolutions that we’d all be better off keeping. Even if we can’t manage all of them, if we can conquer one or two, we’ll have improved our respective corners of the world.
• Tell people how you really feel. I don’t mean you should tell them that, yes, their ass looks fat in those jeans, but rather you should tell people that you care about them. Tell them you appreciate them. Tell them you love them. People seem to be scared of the word “love,” but I think if we all started using it more about people, and less to describe things, the world would be a better place.
• Don’t hold back. If you’ve always wanted to try sky diving, then, by the beard of Thor, go jump out of a plane. If you’ve always wanted to walk up to that woman at work that you’ve had your eye on and ask her out, do it. Want to learn how to make pottery? Sculpt the hell out of that clay.
• Chase your happiness. Find out what makes you happy and do it. If you’re stuck in a job that you hate, find another one. The job market may be sluggish, but you have to at least try. If you’re in a situation you’re not happy with, whether it’s work or personal, and you aren’t actively doing anything to get out of it, then you’re the only person to blame for your crappy situation.
• Face your fear. We all get scared. Sometimes we’re scared about big things like dying. Other times we’re scared about little things like having a huge zit on our nose on a first date. Whatever your fear is, face it. Admit that you’re scared. Say it out loud. Tell another person. Then kick fear’s ass.
• Let go of your past. Do you find yourself constantly whining about something that happened 2 years ago? 5 years ago? 10 years ago? What the hell, dude? Roll all that sh!t into a ball and throw it out the window. If people have harmed you in the past, get some therapy for the big stuff, forgive the little stuff and let it go. By hanging on to it, you’re only hurting yourself.
So, let’s go conquer this year. Make it say your name. Have fun, grab life with both hands and enjoy the ride.
Rachel Birdsell is a freelance writer and artist. You can drop her a line at rabirdsell@gmail.com