Revisiting Resolutions

For those of us here in New York, school starts again, two days after Labor Day, ushering in the "unofficial" end of summer.

To me, the end of summer, and the beginning of the school year, has always been a time for new beginnings. It just makes sense to me. Summer vacation is over. Kids are back in school. New routines begin. Schedules are quickly filled. It seems that it's always been the time that I get back to my healthy eating plan, after all of those picnics with ice cream afterwards. It's the time I begin to clean out and straighten up all of the chaos that has accumulated over the summer, due to my "hey, it's summer, I'll get to it later" mentality. And this year, the end of summer happens to be a time that I'm revisiting my New Year's resolution list.

Just a few evenings ago I was going through some of my files and I ran across a short blog entry that I had posted on my personal blog on New Year's Day. It listed my resolutions for the new year. There weren't many. I've learned with age to be more realistic, to choose more carefully, and to pick resolutions that will make me a better person - not necessarily just a thinner person. :)

So what were my resolutions and how have I done with them, now almost nine months after I put them to paper? (or blog)

First - Positivity. This year I resolved to be more positive. Being a worrier it is sometimes difficult for me to remain positive. I am grateful each day for what I have, but I tend to let negative thoughts take over. It's even more difficult when things aren't necessarily going the way we think that they should.  How have I done? I would say that I've improved, which of course, is always a good thing. But I do realize that I have a ways to go. And since we're all in a school frame of mind at this point, I guess I would give myself a "B." Oh, what the heck, maybe even a "B+."

I found a blog on this very subject - positivity.  If you get a chance, check it out here. The blog creator, Dani, says "Life is best lived, right now, in the present, with a positive attitude. Be positive and be present." Easier said than done, but oh such good advice. I'm very glad to be reminded that I need to work on this a bit more...

Second - Patience. What can I say? I need more of it. Some days I feel like a Saint. Taking everything in stride, blowing off those annoying things. But other days, many days, I have very little patience. I don't like that about myself at all.  And seeing my old blog post has reminded me that I still have a very long way to go with this resolution. Gee, I'll have to see if there's a blog about this subject too! Or maybe I should actually crack the book that is shown in my photo above, The Power of Patience. Yes, I'm a little ashamed to say that I haven't even opened it since I purchased it in January. For this resolution I must give myself a "C-."  Much improvement needed in the next few months.

Third - Creativity. My third and final resolution was to allow my creativity to be more of an important part of my life. As someone who can't knit, sew, crochet, paint, or draw - my creativity is my photography. Part of my resolution was to "have my camera in my hand every day." To continue to learn and improve my photography, and to allow myself the time necessary to get immersed in it.

I must say, I would give myself an "A" for this one. As you can see in my photo, I have many photography books (this is just the tip of the iceberg shown here). And, unlike the other books, I have actually opened and read each and every one of these. And enjoyed them! Of course, the wine certainly helps with that too!

I have taken several photography classes, begun a 365 project, become a member of this wonderful blog, and continue to grow my personal photography blog.

So, I haven't really done perfectly in reaching all of my goals. But in keeping with the "trying to remain positive theme", I remember that today is a new day. A day to renew and begin again. I'm very glad that I ran across my old blog post. I'm glad to be reminded of what I had hoped to achieve this year. I have some work to do, but I know I'm on the right track.

January 1st is not the only time for fresh starts. If you've made resolutions and have slipped up, make a fresh start again. Today. If you've meant to start something new this year, but haven't yet, start today!

"Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending." - Carl Bard

P.S. Just one more day of our Barn theme. I'm going to miss seeing all of those beautiful barn photos coming in to our flickr group. But September's theme will be just as fun, so stay tuned! And be sure to check out our blog on Sunday this week as well, when Linda will be concluding the linky party that has been going on all this week. If you haven't joined in yet, please do! You have until midnight on September 1st to post your photo for everyone to guess "your story."