New Year

Well it is 2012 and the world did not end. Actually, I am surprised that this New Years did not get more hype. I almost forgot about the theory based on the Mayan calendar ending in 2012. Maybe we are all just so inundated by the gloom and doom-sayers that we just do not care. There have been a lot of them lately. Speaking of which. My dad and I were watching PBS the other day (the family that are nerds together, stay together) and there was a story on all the crazy weather that we all endured in 2011. Apparently, the average amount of "natural disasters" in a year is four or five. 2011 saw a whopping twelve! There's doomsday for you. Makes me nervous. Meanwhile, my guilt about enjoying the warm, snowless winter has increased twelve-fold.

I guess this somewhat brings me to my next point. New Year's always brings with it an urge to better myself, as it probably does for most everyone (Exhibit A: the masses at the gym). I love the idea of a bright, new year ready to be made into anything that you want. There's no old mistakes ruling your actions.  Fresh. New.

I figure that based on my personality, it would be best to pick one thing to focus on in this new year. What should it be, though? I REALLY do need to exercise more. But, I loathe exercising. I really cannot wrap my head around people who love it. I have honestly tried to like it. But it really is the worst. Of course there is always the possibility to read more! My generous family overindulged the librarian this Christmas, and now I literally have books up to my elbows. However, I feel that reading is a such a part of me already that it would be cheating to make it a resolution. I received two really neat cookbooks for Christmas, so I could always work on learning how to properly feed myself (stop laughing). But we all know how that will ultimately end. Not well. Not well at all.

So what does that leave me with? I decided, after some careful thought, to work not on myself per say, but on my small corner of the world. While that does include bettering myself, I think of it more as working on the way I view people, matters, situations, etc. Growing up, my family took many cherished vacations together. We frequented many National Parks. The National Parks have a saying: "leave the park better than you found it." I think I will adapt this statement. I will work harder to be a better family member, friend, girlfriend, citizen, etc. I will make my corner better than I left it in 2011.

Prayers and hope for a peaceful, joyful, and happy 2012 for you.