REALITY?: I resolve (of course!)

It’s been a good year—as far as years go—and although the magic moment that transforms one digital date into another never really meant all that much to me, I will fall for the resolution thingie this year and go ahead and make some. Only five or six, because I’m new at this, and maybe ten would be better because then the failure rate wouldn’t look so bad (I’m mathematically oriented which means that I like to count things and figure percentages on the most mundane of life situations. I’ve been accused of directly dividing slices of pizza by number of eaters when among friends but they seem to understand that this relates to my food drive rather than my numbers games).

1. Read every day. Have a constant source of learning handy by keeping the book pile by the couch with a telltale bookmark that moves a few pages every night.
2. Write every day. Whether it’s for Spinning or for storytelling, I will write something every day. Even if it’s going into the recycle bin. Even if it’s bugging someone with an e-mail. But something more creative than a grocery list.
3. Place friends and family over myself and my own interests as often as I can, especially when they need me. I can always take care of my own needs at three a.m.
4. Read and speak a little Spanish every day. Learning the elusive intricacies of the tenses of another language can only assist in proper usage of my own native English.
5. Converse with others in the manner in which I’ve learned to read. Comprehend the meaning while following the story line. Nothing beyond the business passage of information should be allowed to pass in and out ununderstood (yes, that’s purposely un- not mis- understood).
6. Social verbal intercourse is a gift. Social written intercourse is another. I will gratefully accept, open, and put them to good use.
7. Be aware of the world around me—the one that exists beyond the computer monitor and keyboard. (Ooh look—the floor needs vacuuming; this will be a good resolution to keep, for health reasons alone.)
8. Be open to new things. Make room for them, understand them, and if they’re necessary or a delight to me, keep them in my life. If not, discard and keep seeking.
9. Cut out the time wasted by lack of organization. Learn at least where the list of to-dos is located.
10. Be a good person.