So here we are in a brand new year. To be honest, 2016 went by so quickly. I’ve included a couple of pictures of two of my granddaughters with thier great-grandparents (my mom and Andy’s dad) to emphasize that point.  Time goes by so quickly, doesn’t it?!

As I shared in my post on the last day of last year, 2016 was certainly a year of ups and downs for me. Although the lows are tough to walk through, they certainly cause me to appreciate the highs. This year those highs included some great time with family, the engagement of my youngest daughter, and a new granddaughter. Let the spoiling begin!

I always find the beginning of the year so interesting.  It’s just another day, and yet it’s also another year and therefore a clean slate.  In truth, we can hit “reset” whenever we want, but we do it collectively on January 1.  We write down our New Year’s Resolutions and prepare for the major changes coming our way.

I’m sure I mentioned the best New Year’s Resolution I’ve ever heard.  First, my apologies to my Aunt Margie and Uncle Joe who hate the word I’m about to use.  It, and the resolution, came from my brother.  He started the year saying he was not going to suck at life. What a simple goal.  Not necessarily easy, but oh, so simple.  The idea is, whenever you’re faced with an option or a decision, choose the one where you don’t suck at life.  Choose the one that’s more fun, more fulfilling, creates more memories, enriches your life in some way.  That’s quite a Litmus test.

I think I need to clarify.  This doesn’t mean the option I choose is the one where I party the hardest or seek the hedonistic and irresponsible option.  Sometimes “not sucking” means not making an unwise move.  In the decision to save money or not, clearly saving is the wiser, “non-sucking” choice.  In the decision to watch TV or take a walk, I should probably choose walking more often than not.  It’s not about situational ethics, but it may be about situational decisions.

There are a lot of things I plan to improve this year.  I realize plans need to have quantifiable goals in order to measure my progress.  I can do that.  So can you.  To me, those aren’t resolutions; those are personal and business decisions that may or may not be made at the beginning of the year.  They may or may not need adjustment here or there. If you have anything you want to accomplish, you should be moving toward something measurable.  For example, rather than saying, “I want to lose weight this year,” I would say, “I want to fit comfortably into a Size X” or “I want to weigh Y lbs by March 1.  It’s a quantifiable goal.  I can measure my progress.

This year, I’m taking the different approach.  Rather than burdening myself with a long list of resolutions, I’m taking the cue from my brother.  I’m not going to suck at life.  How about you?

Thanks for visiting!