First, a quick review. Every year since 2004, Jill and I have declared a possibility for the year. That sets the context, we hope, for plans and resolutions during the year. Last year, we declared 2007 the year of vitality, discovery, and fun.
I think we did an ok job this year, especially since until the end of December, I couldn’t have told you what the possibility was for 2007. In our peak year of success with this game, we actually had the possibility posted above the kitchen sink. I might try that again for 2008.)
Continuing with the review:
In terms of vitality, no one on earth has more energy than a healthy toddler. I’m feeling great and have lost approximately a pants size (but no weight) since I’ve been swimming, plus Jill’s thyroid condition is well under control and she’s started running again. All of us get full marks for increased vitality.
Discovery is probably an area where Jill has done better than I have — the whole car thing, getting an A in her Automotive Fundamentals class, etc. But I got a gift certificate for a cooking class for Christmas, and one for a “build yourself a bookshelf” class for my birthday, so there have been some discovery seeds planted in my life this year. And I think I’ll take credit for trying Curves and ultimately for rediscovering my love for swimming. And again, who can beat a toddler for discovery? (OK, a 4 month old, but who else???)
Fun? I think I have to give myself weak marks in this area. Yes, toddlers are fun, but I haven’t done much that’s been purely fun for me. There’s still room to grow here. Noah has begun telling us when he’s having fun, which is delightful. I’m not so sure with Jill — was the car class fun? It didn’t look like fun, it looked like a lot of work. But I could be wrong.
I think we did better with these possibilities when they were sort of funny and easier to remember. 2004, for example, was “unprecedented results!” and 2005 was “all about the boolings!” (Boolings is our silly family word for young children.)
What about 2008?
The first thing that popped into my mind was creativity – encompassing both the attempting to create another member of our family, writing, crafts, cooking, doing projects with Noah, coming up with creative ways to spend time together both as a couple and as a family.
I’m also thinking about mindfulness. Not exactly “planning” or “determination” or “getting organized” but really thinking about how we’re spending our time, whether what we’re doing is moving us towards our happiness or our goals, and what impact we have on one another and those people whose lives touch ours.
We could do a little better on nurturing ourselves, and also on nurturing each other. We’re pretty good with nurturing Noah, but he also demands it a lot more.
I toyed with a lot of different thoughts about this, beginning before I started writing this post, and continuing in the days since I began. Jill and I had one of those Big Talks about what’s working and what’s not working as well as we’d like it to, in all kinds of areas of our lives, and what we want to make a difference in next year.
Together, it came to us.
2008: Unprecedented Results Mach II
I’m also intrigued by BlogHer’s Lisa Stone’s approach to New Year’s Resolutions:
Heart - I’m committed to creating at least one date night with my wife, per month between now and September, and at least 2 more by the end of 2008.
Family - Continuing to help Noah grow and thrive, and add a new member of our family who is healthy.
Spirit - Electing a Democratic President, right now, I’m leaning towards Obama — and continuing with my Sunday School teaching.
Write - A minimum of 2 magazine articles, plus continuing with my blogs. Developing a plan to re-energize LesbianFamily.org.
Wallet - Get paid for my writing. I’m going to set the modest-but-stretch goal of 2008=4×2007, including BlogHer ads.
Health - Have a healthy pregnancy, gaining less weight than last time, and give birth to a healthy baby.
Create - Use my bran-new sewing machine for some kind of creative fun project. (Curtains? Slipcovers for the glider rocker? Maternity clothes?)
Work – Post-reorg, I’ve gotten some new responsibilities. I’d like to make the most of them, and have that recognized in a promotion.
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