My Resolutions for 2016

I'm the kind of person that has trouble finishing a task. One minute I have a great business idea and the next day I dismiss it. Instead of persevering and seeing things through, I tend to give up and start something else. I guess I look for shortcuts. This isn't only true for big life plans, subconsciously, I think this way about little things, too. For example, I don't close the cabinets in my kitchen. I take things out of closets, drawers, and the fridge without putting them away. I buy plants and end up giving them death wishes (literally, looking at them hoping and waiting for them to die) because watering them is far too difficult when I'm not in the mood to do it...which is never. Yes, I've finally realized my quirks of everyday life reflect a HUGE flaw in my pursuit of happiness - I'm lazy and give up too easily. I think when it comes to new year resolutions, all of us usually find ourselves in this boat. It's great to be excited about goals and to HAVE goals, but sometimes we lack purpose, accountability, or even realistic expectations.

I'll save the rest of this pep talk for a moment when I'm glaring at my reflection with my gameface on...right now I just need to get down my 2016 goals. Here's what I'm trying to accomplish this new year.

1. Get in shape.

Yea, this is vague, but it's way better to achieve a part of the goal then to miss it completely. I've been working on this a while and the hardest part I have with staying "in shape" is what I eat. Why does working out leave me so hungry all the time? Which leads me to my next goal.

2. Eat better.

Like I, said I've been working on getting in shape for a while...the one good thing is technically I am in shape. I have lots of shape in fact! Most of my shape comes from eating bags of chips, fritos, and corn puffs. Seriously though, I'm resolving to eat better by ingesting more protein and fiber with an occasional treat. I'm also cutting out most of my wheat intake and am eating veggie based meals as often as possible. Oh, and of course, more fish! Lots of self-control needed for this new years resolution.

3. Find a way to have my artwork printed on t-shirts.

I have a love for painting simple floral pictures. On canvas my paintings are so boring because I don't paint backgrounds, but only flower outlines in pastel colors with a word the flower represents. It's a signature style, I think. Since I'm not very good at painting different variations or creating magnificently detailed pieces of art, I think my designs would look really perfect on t-shirts and tank tops.

4. Save money to record an album. Then actually record it.

Wow, reading that sounds like a VERY cheesy thing, kinda like Doug Funny when he would play guitar and sing for Patti Mayonnaise. (If you don't know what I'm talking about, watch this). Seriously though, I AM talented and I've been given a great affinity for writing lyrics and composing melodies. I want to record my songs and put them on iTunes. I also want to make copies to provide to victims recovering from sex trafficking since most of my songs are really about comfort through suffering and sorrow.

5. Assemble all of my poems and begin organizing them for publication.

Most of my songs begin as poems. But only a handful are accompanied with music. The rest remain hidden in notebooks. I really believe my poems can help so many people who have felt the way I have and have struggled as I did. This world needs as much hope, faith, and love as it can get, so what's one more publication on the market?

6. Put God first.

I really need to get back to who I am. This has been eating at me for a long time now. I've got lots of decisions to make. Only now am I realizing that I am the only one that can put myself first. I know this resolution says to put God first, but try as I may to avoid the idea, I'm really seeing what I want for myself and that's to be okay with God again. All the while I've relied on others to help me put God first which is kinda crazy and doesn't make sense. I need to make what I want a priority because no one else will. I really wish I was as confident and comfortable in my own skin a few years ago as I am now. Wisdom certainly does come with age!

Well, now that this is on the internet, I guess that makes it official, doesn't it? My 2016 new year resolutions are going to be met this year...or at least attempted.

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