BS: New Year's Resolutions: audit 2004

Subject: BS: New Year's Resolutions: audit 2004
From: Helen
Date: 21 Jan 04 - 04:18 PM

I posted this to BS: NEw years rsuolutoins 9? but I think maybe an audit thread to catch up on how everyone is doing so far in their resolutions might be useful. A little mutual support and encouragement, a little bemoaning the lack of motivation and some motivational pep talks, and also a little "yee-ha-ing!" when someone actually does something they resolved to do in the heat of the moment at New Year.

And mine falls in the last category, so far. I'm so pleased that I have finally stepped over this hurdle.

My New Year's Resolution - again - is to learn how to play the piano, and learn some music theory. I've been saying this for years, but....

TaDa!

I had my second lesson yesterday!

It is going to be a bit of a challenge to translate from Celtic harp to piano, and back again, but I think it will be worth it.

What finally got me to get off my butt and ring up the piano teacher? I was listening to the man who lives next door practising his singing and guitar playing. He sings fairly well, mostly country style, but his guitar playing is just strum-strum-strum. I was thinking that I know a 3-chord wonder guitar player who could teach him some simple tricks to make his playing more interesting, and to include various rhythms.

Then I thought of my own musical plateau. My sister, who plays flute, and her hubby, who plays guitar, have both whizzed past me technically and I am left floundering.

So, I came inside and phoned the local piano teacher who advertised a couple of weeks ago in a local community newsletter.

It is probably not going to be as hard as I imagined.

Subject: RE: BS: New Year's Resolutions: audit 2004
From: Ed.
Date: 21 Jan 04 - 04:27 PM

Failed on all fronts...

But tomorrow is a new year too.

Subject: RE: BS: New Year's Resolutions: audit 2004
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 21 Jan 04 - 05:53 PM

I gave up drink, and apart from 1 glass of malt whisky last night, when I felt low, I've not touched a drop sinc 1/1/2004
John

Subject: RE: BS: New Year's Resolutions: audit 2004
From: Helen
Date: 21 Jan 04 - 06:56 PM

Well done, John!   That's not easy, working on giving something up, so keep at it.

All the best
Helen

Subject: RE: BS: New Year's Resolutions: audit 2004
From: Ebbie
Date: 21 Jan 04 - 07:58 PM

Good for you, Helen. By next New Year's Day, you can look back with satisfaction. Congratulations.

The only resolution I made is an ongoing one. I'm in the process of moving- and my resolution is to pare back, to simplify, to minimalize. So I've given away and donated loads of stuff. Yesterday, as an example, I called the local homeless shelter and gave them THREE sleeping bags (What do I need with THREE? I don't even need ONE anymore.) and a good dufflebag stuffed with tote bags. When I find my tent, that's going too.

When I set up housekeeping again a couple of months from now, I'm going to be very pleased with myself. But I'll have to be careful- I've done this before- and still have always ended up accumulating HUNDREDS of books. They are the one thing I just cannot resist. But maybe I'll accept that failing and just plan to periodically donate a boxful of them to Friends of the Library. I've gotten rid of my BIG bookcase and kept only the small ones that are almost filled with the books I couldn't bear to part with.

Subject: RE: BS: New Year's Resolutions: audit 2004
From: Amos
Date: 21 Jan 04 - 08:00 PM

Heln,

Applause!! Applause!!

Way to go!

A

Subject: RE: BS: New Year's Resolutions: audit 2004
From: Gray D
Date: 21 Jan 04 - 08:22 PM

I gave up New Year's Resolutions.

So far, it's working fine (hic).

Gray D

Subject: RE: BS: New Year's Resolutions: audit 2004
From: SueB
Date: 22 Jan 04 - 02:13 AM

I resolved to give up ice cream, and so far so good. In fact it's going so well, I think I'll give up soft drinks now, since tomorrow is New Years day again. What I have not managed to do is to keep to my plan of running/walking 20-30 minutes a day every other day - started out well, but tapered off to nothing. However, Sunday marks the beginning of yet ANOTHER New Year for me - my birthday, and the beginning of my 41st year - so I believe I will re-resolve to run/walk every other day starting Sunday, however, I will lower the time requirement to 10-15 minutes. Baby steps, but steps nonetheless.

Here's an inspirational quote from a book called "No Need For Speed" about becoming a runner -
    "My running shoes have become giant erasers on my feet. Every foot strike rubs away some memory of a previous indiscretion with food or smoke or drink. Every successful mile releases me from the demons of failure. Every starting line is another chance to prove that my past will not determine my future."

I like that so much that I have changed it slightly to make it mine:
EVERY START IS ANOTHER CHANCE TO PROVE THAT MY PAST WILL NOT DICTATE MY FUTURE!

The greatest benefit of running every other day that I had started to realize is that it improves your wind for singing. Resolutions aside, my one big goal for the year is to finally sing in public - to actually perform in front of people other than friends and relatives.

If there's any one else out there who is trying to include some regular running or walking in their lives, maybe we could support each other.

Helen, congratulations, and John as well, and Ebbie, you too - feng shui principles say that you reap unforeseen benefits when you eliminate clutter from areas of your life, and that you have to let go of the old to make room for the new - I think that this is true based on my own experience, but I'd love to hear about it if it turns out to be true for you too -Suzanne

Subject: RE: BS: New Year's Resolutions: audit 2004
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 22 Jan 04 - 08:12 AM

I don't make New Year Resolutions (every day is the start of a new year) but wake each day resolving to do the best I can to eat the good things that are the basis of my life & not add the junk food crap that has become a part of it over the past few years.

In the past few weeks I have had a few instances of adding crappy stuff to the good food, but most days I have eaten food that was good for me.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: New Year's Resolutions: audit 2004
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 22 Jan 04 - 08:42 AM

Decided to cut down on hangovers and men. Woke up with both on the 3rd January. Bodes well for a year of partying...

Subject: RE: BS: New Year's Resolutions: audit 2004
From: Naemanson
Date: 22 Jan 04 - 11:40 AM

I resolved that same old resolve that we all resolve from time to time. I was going to change my life style and lose weight.

And I've lost 10 pounds so far.

Of course, it may just be the result of a week with pneumonia but whatever the start is I might as well keep pushing.

Subject: RE: BS: New Year's Resolutions: audit 2004
From: freda underhill
Date: 22 Jan 04 - 12:14 PM

i resolved to have a long holiday. so i took the end of december & most of january off. now I have just extended so i don't go back til feb..

yay!

Subject: RE: BS: New Year's Resolutions: audit 2004
From: Helen
Date: 22 Jan 04 - 06:36 PM

SueB, I have resolved to walk more, and to lose some more weight, and I am getting there to some extent, but motivation and mutual support will probably help.

I have found with the piano lessons that I am not as far behind with music as I thought I was. I think I just needed some direction and techniques to get me past the hurdles.

My sister sent me this today.

Relevant, I think!

A WOMAN'S (REAL) PRAYER
      

               Now I lay me Down to sleep.
               I pray the Lord My shape to keep.
               Please no wrinkles
               Please no bags
             And please lift my butt
               Before it sags.
               Please no age spots
               Please no gray
               And as for my belly,
               Please take it away.
               Please keep me healthy
               Please keep me young,
               And thank you Dear Lord
               For all that you've done.
             AMEN

               Five tips for a woman....
1. It is important that a man helps you around the house and has a job.
                2. It is important that a man makes you laugh.
3. It is important to find a man you can count on and      doesn't lie to you.
                4. It is important that a man loves you and spoils you.
5. It is important that these four men don't know each other

Subject: RE: BS: New Year's Resolutions: audit 2004
From: SueB
Date: 22 Jan 04 - 09:52 PM

Love the prayer, and the good advice - am forwarding it to all my female friends on-line, thanks!

Subject: RE: BS: New Year's Resolutions: audit 2004
From: SueB
Date: 11 Feb 04 - 02:50 PM

Have kept my Jan 1 resolution not to have ice cream. Have kept my Chinese New Year resolution to give up soft drinks. Birthday resolution to walk/jog (wog) 15 minutes every other day is proving more difficult. I've taken to putting a shiny foil star in my appointment book every day that I do it, which is sort of silly but fun, and makes it very easy to look back on the week and see how well I've followed through on my commitment to myself.

Anyone else keeping up, or starting over?

Subject: RE: BS: New Year's Resolutions: audit 2004
From: Rapparee
Date: 11 Feb 04 - 03:20 PM

I learned long ago that if you don't make 'em you don't need to keep 'em.

Subject: RE: BS: New Year's Resolutions: audit 2004
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 12 Feb 04 - 04:10 AM

I said I'd post less on Mudcat, only to inform or amuse and more coherently.
Not for me to judge...

RtS