My Resolutions

It is Thursday, January 13th, and typically by this date in previous years I have already broken my New Year's resolutions.  You know, the ones we make every year:

• lose weight
• eat better
• exercise more
• spend more time with friends and family
• write nice thank you notes
• volunteer with your favorite charity or non-profit

And this is my plan again this year, and so far, I am zero for six!  Woo-hoo! 

So, really, what should I really focus on in the new year?  Honestly, I am just trying to keep my head above water right now, as things are busy at both work and home.  And in all of the madness, I would like to learn patience and grace. 

For the past year, I have felt my sunny disposition slipping away.  Maybe call it old age (or maturity - ha!), reality interfering with my simple thoughts (i.e. the shootings in Tucson) or just the daily grind wearing me down, but I have become jaded and cynical.  Now, I don't expect the best of people and I mainly consider ulterior motives.  I just don't have a lot of faith in people. 

And this is something I don't want to pass on to A & B.  Maybe it was growing up with a great family in a small town or really not having many obstacles to overcome in life; I guess it really doesn't matter.  I have always looked at the bright side; the glass half full.  And I want A & B to feel that they can conquer the world. 

So how to I get back to that positive thinking?  Especially with jobs, kids, hubby, laundry, practices, family, friends all vying for attention - is there time to get back on the right track and focus on the things that are important in life AND make me happy?  Or I am just being realistic for the first time in my life?

And, most importantly, how do I teach A & B to think positively but realistically?  But when is there a better time to dream your biggest dreams then when you are 4 years old? 

Thanks for the advice!  And have a wonderful day!

Jean Anne