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It’s New Year’s Eve 2014. House is cleaned, chicken is marinating, brownies are in the oven, my boyfriend is downstairs playing video games, Watto the kitten is napping on his tower and I’m nursing a cup of English Breakfast tea waiting for friends to arrive for some spirited merriment. My mom’s been asking me for several days what my resolutions for the New Year would be. Let’s see, last year I wanted to move into my very own apartment, get a dog, and make a dent in paying off some student debt. The reality? I fell in love, got a cat, landed my dream job with Tanique, and moved 5 minutes away from the DC line. No moving out on my own, no dog, no substantial debt paid off.
I’m not complaining, I swear. Resolutions are essentially goals and things we’d like to change about ourselves for the upcoming year. Blank slate. What happens when these specific “resolutions” just don’t happen? Did we set the bar too high? Are we failures? Absolutely not. John Lennon once said “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans” and he’s exactly right. This year I feel like my “resolutions” should be something(s) I should change to better myself and those around me. What good is losing 20 pounds gonna do? I’d have to cut fast food out of my diet for a few months (oh, the torture!) and my boyfriend most likely won’t even notice... and I’d gain it all back in two weeks binging on french fries and milkshakes. In theory, not a bad resolution; in reality, impractical.
This year my resolutions are to:
Love,
Ashley
I’m not complaining, I swear. Resolutions are essentially goals and things we’d like to change about ourselves for the upcoming year. Blank slate. What happens when these specific “resolutions” just don’t happen? Did we set the bar too high? Are we failures? Absolutely not. John Lennon once said “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans” and he’s exactly right. This year I feel like my “resolutions” should be something(s) I should change to better myself and those around me. What good is losing 20 pounds gonna do? I’d have to cut fast food out of my diet for a few months (oh, the torture!) and my boyfriend most likely won’t even notice... and I’d gain it all back in two weeks binging on french fries and milkshakes. In theory, not a bad resolution; in reality, impractical.
This year my resolutions are to:
- Put 200% into my career. Startups don’t allow ANY room for slacking. Helping the business succeed= wins across the board.
- Give another animal a forever home. Many animal shelters are at max capacity. What’s more rewarding then saving a furry critter in exchange for unconditional love? (Watto needs a baby sister too…)
- Give to those less fortunate. In my community, the poverty level is just over 18%. By volunteering my time at soup kitchens, shelters, and free public events, I can (even just a little) help improve the quality of someone else’s life.
- Learn something new. All of your physical possessions can be taken from you but no one can take away your knowledge. It is important to always be learning; whether it be a new hobby, language, trade, or anything that strikes your interest.
- Step out of my comfort zone. Benedict Cumberbatch said “The further you get away from yourself, the more challenging it is. Not to be in your comfort zone is great fun.” Getting over the anxiety of stepping out of my box is the hard part; but the reward of new experiences and meeting new people is worth it.
Love,
Ashley