As I write this, we are three weeks into the New Year, and time to assess our New Year’s resolutions. What? You didn’t make any? Well, you’re just in luck, because any time is a good time to try better habits, ditch crummy behaviors or just hit the refresh button on things going well. And don’t worry if you’re off to a rocky start. That old myth that it takes 21 days to form a new habit is just that – a myth. It may take weeks or months, and sometimes, we need to start over and over to stay on track, and that’s ok, as long as we keep one eye focused on the goals – at least occasionally.
This year, I have one goal. (Ok, I really have two goals but since I start every year saying “I’d like to lose weight”, it seems a tad insincere.)
But this year, I’ve decided I want to be more like my brother. Ok, not the part where he can talk endlessly about the state wrestling champ from 1986 who lives just over the hill and down the road on the second left after the light. Or the spelling bee champion who is the niece of the former night supervisor when my brother worked days. Nope, I’ll ignore that part for a minute. (My friends are rolling their eyes saying “she’s already more like her brother than she thinks”.)
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| I want to be more like my brother, but this isn’t cutting it. |
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| All set for the NFC Championship. |
I want to be more like my brother because he is absolutely the most optimistic person I know, and is a self-described “the glass is half full kind of guy”. And every day I read the newspaper, or listen to the evening news, I realize I need to be more like him. Several years ago when I moved to Japan and lost money on the sale of my house as the housing market was crashing, he was overjoyed I’d sold it at all, and had to reassure me that I’d be fine. Of course I would, but it was his optimism that helped the sting feel more like a little mosquito bite than the welt left from a bee sting. I needed his optimism to help me through.
Many years ago in a management workshop, I completed one of those assessments that are designed to help everyone get along and work together just a little bit better. As we were categorized, we ended with short little monikers that described us. I was a “rock of reality”. And guess what? That’s me, to the core. I’m neither a glass is half empty nor half full kind of person; I’m more the “drink it up so we can get going” person.
The challenge comes when I have to temper optimism with reality, whether it’s taking on a new project, or when an organization I belong to wants to change direction, or heaven forbid, when I step on the scale. My brother is a wonderful guy though, and despite his occasional long rambling stories, I’m going to take a page from his book. And I’m optimistic I can make it!
So what are your resolutions? I’d love to hear. To share that, or make any comment:
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I am mostly an optimist and sometimes a little gullible so I have to keep an eye out for the reality and depressing parts in the news. Unfortunately or fortunately I have had the same silent resolution for at least the last ten years. Probably will the rest of my life – to try to lose weight. Now that isn't that simple a resolution as it secretly includes exercising more, stopping a sugar addiction, not eating a whole box of crackers because there are no cookies in the house, etc. I do believe in continual improvement, so I don't mind the same resolution, just wish one year it would work! You know who I am, Pam.
You and Chic make quite a pair. I forgot to put on my 17 year old Packer sweatshirt, celebrating a Packer Superbowl win from way back when. A thought on resolutions, which I don't make. Instead of swearing off things like no more (whatever is appropriate), how 'bout swearing on – a positive thing. I will say hello to at least 1 stranger today, I will say or do 1 unexpected kindness to someone each day, etc. Still resolutions. Love the blogs. Judy
Interesting relationsh between optimism and gullibility. I wonder if that's common? Thanks for the comment.
Great idea to focus on adding a positive behavior instead of only focusing on removing a negative one. Thanks! I am always looking for occasions to pull out the cheesehead. When I saw his picture, I had to try and copy it – I thought his was so funny.