sadeewhip

New Year’s resolutions make me feel pressured. The turning of the year brings all this expectation of some kind of new slate. Its like the door of possibility gets flung open for one day and you have to decide what your new life will be like.

This year I am not making resolutions. But I am going to do something.

This year I am choosing words that I will live by. I have been looking at my life and seeing what is missing and what has, as I’ve gotten older, faded away. I am examining the code or mode through which I have been living and have decided it simply hasn’t been very fun.

So FUN is one of my New Year’s words.

I will be leaving for Mexico for about 5 weeks. (Don’t be jealous, it’s a work sabbatical as in “I will be working my ass off” - well, between sips of tequila and dancing) So back to Mexico…

The woman I am staying with is an artist. She is incredible. In a recent email exchange I discovered the airport is 2 hrs one way from her place and no one is available to pick me up the day I arrive. She suggested I take the bus.

Years ago I would have had no other reaction than “cool!” But I noticed some fear came up. What’s this?! I am a world traveler for cryin’ out loud! I have done things in other countries that would make most people faint with fear. This will not do!

So ADVENTURE is one of my New Year’s words.

This holiday season I have been seeing more friends than I have in quite some time. I have had a tendency to be a bit of a hermit the last, oh, say ten years. I have so enjoyed being social, meeting at different locations, having great conversations, laughing. I am ready to be back in the world of people.

So SOCIAL is one of my New Year’s words.

And I guess the last thing is this…There is something very bad for us about not being who we really are. Something is damaging about holding back our spirits. I am finally at a place where I realize I can not be a successful human being in any sense of the word unless I am fully, unapologetically, my true self. Now there are many words I could use to represent this - “dimensional”, “authentic”,  “full-on”. But I have decided on one that fits the best.

So my final New Year’s word is

JUICY.

I would much rather make space for the flavor of experiences I have rather than what those experiences have to be. With my New Year’s words I will have a fulfilling, yummy, and exciting year no matter what actually happens. Resolutions are like arm wrestling. I’d rather be more alive.

If you like this idea I would LOVE to hear what your words for 2010 are. Let’s create aliveness rather than try and force life to bend to our desires. If you don’t lose those last 10 pounds or make 10k more this year, at least you will still feel successful and have a beautiful time whether you accomplish your goals or not.

Cheers everyone.

And Happy New Year.

p.s. I think “fun” is a good word for everyone’s list. The world needs more “fun” energy. 2009 was not fun. Maybe sneak “fun” onto your list? Please? It may help the collective lighten the hell up and that would be good for everyone.