Okay, it’s time. I’ve had a week since New Year’s Eve to think about what my resolutions will be this year. I’ve checked out some of the articles online about how to choose good resolutions (not too broad, reasonably attainable, measurable, etc.) and I think I am ready.

The key here this year is no more sweeping statements about pursuing my dreams and traveling more and getting in shape. I can use those statements as categories for the practical steps I will plan to take in my life. But they themselves make lousy resolutions.

For one thing, how do you know when you’ve attained them? If I go to Seattle one more time than last year did I travel more? If I don’t recycle the continuing education catalog the day I get it but rather circle a French class and check it’s proximity to the skytrain did I actually pursue my dream of learning French? These are questions I cannot live with.

Now remember, I am setting the bar at what is attainable to me and in areas of life that I’ve routinely made plans that came to nothing, so no teasing.

res⋅o⋅lu⋅tion
a resolve or determination: to make a firm resolution to do something.

the act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure, etc.

the mental state or quality of being resolved or resolute; firmness of purpose.

In 2010…

1. By the end of the year I want to be doing no less than 60 minutes twice a week of physical activity
2. I will take two classes at the community centre on topics that I am interested in for the pure joy of learning about them. French, photography, cooking, wine appreciation and dance are on my short list.
3. I will read 5 classics by 5 different authors in 5 different time periods or genres. One must be depressing and at least one must be about a topic or culture I know little about.
4. I will write a letter or an email to my grandparents every month of the year.
5. I will reduce my processed sugar intake so that it is only in baking where it cannot be substituted or in restaurant food. I will find substitutes for it in my coffee and in cooking or baking wherever possible.
6. I will continue to raise money for Charity: Water because I believe Jesus loves each one of those beautiful people and it breaks my heart to see people suffering.
7. I will take time away to be alone with God at least once, completely alone without tv, computer or phone, for at least 2 days.
8. I will make my time with God more of a priority than the things I think need to get done. I’ll give him the first part of my day every day and will guard that time. I will be more of a Mary and less of a Martha.

I think those are reasonably attainable and measurable. I can think of more but I don’t want to try and do everything in one year. I know lots of things will come up throughout the year and new challenges, priorities, opportunities will take my time. But I think it’s not even as important sometimes what goals one choses to set, but that one sets them and develops character through the process of achieving them. It takes discipline, humility, dependance, perseverance and sacrifice to accomplish anything worth accomplishing. So for me it is less about whether I learn to use my digital SLR (which would be cool) and more about the intangibles like stretching my mind, seeing things through, meeting new people and proving I can do something I set out to do.

I know there are a lot of theories on resolutions and goals and all that, but this year I didn’t bother to read to much into it. I just reflected on some ways I’d like to grow as a person and chose some straightforward steps to getting a little closer.