Resolutions 2008

I’m never quite sure why people don’t like making resolutions or why some people are so adamant that resolutions are pointless. I am of the opinion that if traditional resolutions don’t work for you, try something different. And if you think having to start on January 1 is an arbitrary concept, for heaven’s sake, start on March 10 or July 4 or September 17…whenever inspiration strikes you. We’re all adults so do what works for you. But I can’t believe any of us wouldn’t benefit from taking stock of ourselves and our lives once in a while and coming up with steps to improve.

I’m excited about my resolutions this year! I’ll share some of them here:

Giving
My volunteer work is my passion in life. I find enormous joy and satisfaction in being able to help others. It only makes sense that I have resolutions focused on that part of my life.

In 2007, I made 13 trips to the nursing home for my long-term care ombudsman volunteer job. I would like to make at least 18 trips in 2008.

In 2007, I just scratched the surface in medical advocacy and crisis hotline volunteer work. By the end of 2008, I would like to be volunteering at least one weekend a month as a medical advocate and take call on the crisis hotline at least two nights a month.

In 2007, I made a one-time donation to my five favorite charities. In 2008, I will make quarterly donations to the same five charities and increase my giving by 50%.

Fun
I really need to incorporate more fun into my life. That isn’t to say that day-to-day living doesn’t have elements of fun, because it does, but I need to do a better job of scheduling some fun activities.

In 2008, I would like to find a volunteer opportunity or an organization to join that allows me to give of my time doing something that is important to the community but yet not as serious or life-or-death as my work at the Center. Before I moved here, I used to volunteer at the local hot air balloon rallies, the summer festivals, and the scholarship pageant (the local pageant that spawned the Miss Illinois-to-be contestants) and I loved it. Everything was important and community-centered but it was still fun. I definitely need something to offset the stress of my career and the medical advocacy volunteer work. Locals — Do you have any ideas for a fun club or group to join in the area?

In 2007, I wasn’t able to take a vacation due to some restrictions at work. In 2008, I plan to take at least one-week vacation. I also plan to make at least one trip out of state — and going to my sister’s doesn’t count.

Reading
In 2007, I resolved to read 30 books within the year. I ended up reading 48 books. There was no real theme for 2007, other than I did complete seven books by Chris Bohjalian. In 2008, I am going to strive to read 52 books (or average one book per week) and the theme for 2008 will be biographies and memoirs. And because I know that reading a single genre will grow tiresome now and again, I also plan to purchase and read many of the works by John Steinbeck.

So those are the resolutions I am sharing with the internets. (There are others related to career, home and health that I won’t go into here.) There isn’t anything too challenging on my list…more like gentle nudges in the directions I want to go. Now I’m excited to start the year and see where I end up!