Resolutions 2012

Someone recently asked me what my New Years Resolutions are for this year. I have to confess that I don't actually have any. I'm not big on making promises on how I will act or what I will do or how I will ea or exercise. I'm not against resolutions. I have made them before, but this year I am just making plans, rather than promises.

I plan to start working out more. As cliche as it might be to start working out at the beginning of the new year, I am at a good point in mommmyhood, with my baby getting bigger and more independent, to start getting out on the pavement more and more for runs and walks and exercise. The hard part is still being tired after many wake ups during the nights (a situation we are also currently working on). My best time for working out is in the  morning, that means waking up early before the kids in order to squeeze a work out in on my own. The plan is to take 6AM for me. That means either going for a run or a walk on my own, or getting ready for my day in a different way; maybe some yoga or stretching, or some blog writing or reading, something that will inspire me. It might mean that I make some coffee or tea and enjoy some quiet time or head into the basement to do some laundry with a show on my computer or just some great music. It might even mean cleaning the bathroom now and then. Whatever makes me feel ready. I guess that's 2 plans in 1....start working out...take time for myself everyday.

I do plan to think about food in the new year, which is also cliche. I am not going on a diet, which I think is meaningless. But I do plan to focus more on which foods make my body function best. I think coffee might not be my friend so I am planning a slow break up, or at least planning to take some time apart. So far I have tried brewing it differently by learning how to cold press it (and also made some homemade green chai tea that is a more healthy alternative). This will help me drink it (the coffee) with less sugar and will also take some of the acidity away, which seems to disagree with me. I also plan to limit my corn intake, which I know is not so friendly with my system. There are a few more foods that I will take a close look at, but these will be life changes, and not a diet. I do not plan to take sugar out or stop making delicious home made goodies. I think these things are wonderful and fun and in moderation they aren't a problem. Home made goodies are especially good because I can make them more healthy and specific to our family's dietary restrictions. I do plan to continue making yummy dinners and wholesome meals too, and the baking will be something I fiddle with when I have time.

And like most years and most days and most weeks, I start out by planning to be more organized, both in my schedule, my home, my mind, body and spirit. I have no idea if that is realistic, but I have some very specific ways in which I hope to make this plan work. I got some organizing materials from IKEA for our 2 halls closets. I have a loose schedule for our afternoon time (when all the kids are home and I have dinner to get ready and all hell is breaking loose). This schedule includes one of the activities (among others) that I have been desiring to prioritize; help the kids make and send mail to family and friends...along with some from me (birthday cards, anniversaries, all the important moments acknowledged this year...hopefully). I am working on a chore list for myself, one that will include help form the kids in very specific ways. And on the flip side, I have a non schedule for my mornings with my boys (while the girls are at school I plan to focus on the littles much like I did when the bigs were the littles). 

So there you go. My resolutions this year are actually plans. Big plans. Happy plans. Thoughtful plans. Plans for a good and happy, focused and organized life; peaceful and zen-like plans. Plans that include food, exercise, time, enjoyment, me, fun, a balance of relaxation and rigidity. All of this in the name of zen for the mother of 4. We shall see how the plans go. The great thing about plans vs resolutions is that they feel less final and more available to change; a work in progress if you will, because that is what life is...a work in progress. Nothing is final. Especially when you are a mom of 4.

And now....bed time. And then...be more crafty. be more zen. enjoy the Kairos. Don't be guilty about not loving every single minute of this difficult life. enjoy that which should be enjoyed. play. play with the kids. play with my husband. capture it all on film. make yummy and healthy food. work out. enjoy myself. enjoy my husband. love. feel peace. live in the moment. do some yoga. focus on now. be happy. be myself, unique. teach all things beautiful. be quick to love and slow to anger. love. enjoy. focus. schedule. be. show and share love. that.is.all.