Wednesday, December 31, 2008

I Think These Might Be Resolutions...or I Might Need a Check-up

I have to keep trying to make things better. I have to get rid of some bad habits, and look closely at something I need to embrace.

This prayer has to become my guiding force:

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can;and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will;That I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him Forever in the next.Amen.



Now as wonderful as that prayer is, I don't think it has to apply exclusively to the profound things in life. I think a good part of our existence involves very simple, ordinary things to deal with. Our days seldom consist of life-changing decisions, and getting to the heart of the matter in the simplest ways can determine the course of our lives.

For me, a lot of my time is spent sorting out mundane, silly things. Things that are definitely not worth a lot of time, and paying undue attention to those banalities can distract me from what is important.

I have to accept some things, if for no other reason than I simply cannot change them. They become big because I let them get big. Time to squash 'em back down.

Things such as:

  • A lot of people don't stand by their word. That's sad, but it's a truism.

  • Selfish, obnoxious people demand more attention than they're worth. I'll work on giving them their due. And paying attention where I should.

  • You cannot make people do what they don't want to do. Trying to do that is unethical and wrong. But there are people who insist on that as a way of life, and do not see that as wrong. That's their problem. I have to worry about being decent and honest, and that should take enough of my time.

  • There are a lot of women in my life who make very bad decisions with their love lives. Time and again. It's not my job to change that. It's my job to be there when things don't work out. Again.

  • Reality Television isn't going away. There are enough other options to enjoy. Although I am getting to be too much of a forensics expert.

  • I need to love the people who love me for me. There's nothing more valuable. My life has recently shown me how important the ones who stick by you are.

I need to love unconditionally.

I need to accept that life can't always be all good.

I will cherish the time that others give to me.

I will always make time to thank those who make me feel as though I matter.

I will do my best to do things that assure that I matter.

I will stop apologizing for who I am. The ones who appreciate me far outshine those who would look for perfection.

I think those resolutions are ok, no?

22 comments:

  1. Awesome entry, Jimmmy! I loved it! And I wish nothing but the best for you in '09!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous11:38 AM

    I must admit that a lot of those I truly understand. I wish the BEST for you. Have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Happy New Year my friend!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Amen! Happy New Year Jimmy and if you don't succeed with your resolutions you can remember "Everytime you fall it's usually a fall forward so that gets you one step closer to where you need to be!"

    ReplyDelete
  5. Jimmy I wish you a very Happy New Year and good Luck with your New year resolutions ~ you deserve a Happy and Healthy new Year and I wish for you everything you wish for yourself ~ Ally x

    ReplyDelete
  6. I think those resolutions are lovely.
    You 'get' life and the way it should be, Lippy.

    Good for you.

    XOOX

    ReplyDelete
  7. I think you can't go wrong with making resolutions like that. I wish you success with them!

    All my best,
    Beth

    ReplyDelete
  8. I agree with your resolutions. I never apologize for the person I am, and I always live my life as a journey looking for the silver lining in any situation. Happy New Year and a wonderful 2009 :o)

    ReplyDelete
  9. These are great!!!

    God Bless Jimmy and here's to a New and changed 2009 for you!

    ReplyDelete
  10. They ARE resolutions and they're good ones. Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  11. have been trying to catch up with your journals. wish i still hadalerts so i knew when you made an entry. still love your writing--still think you should have daily/weekly entry in the newspaper. happy new year to you.agree with resolutions --will pray for gram---barb

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous9:08 AM

    Fantastic, well thought out list. That's a lot to strive for, so remember "Progress, not Perfection"!
    (Serenity Prayer is one of my faves).

    Happy New Year my friend...

    Love,
    Nance

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous9:09 AM

    PS.
    You So OWE me!

    (a t-shirt, remember?)

    Nance

    ReplyDelete
  14. love this entry... we all need to pay attention. Happy New Year.. may 2009 bring all good things.
    hugs

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous1:41 PM

    happy 2009 lippy :)
    isoy
    lyyyyyyyy
    ms emily

    ReplyDelete
  16. ok i finally caved in and started blogging again

    lyyyy

    http://rightundermyfeet.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  17. Great plan for 2009. Some of our life's challenges include dealing with others on this earth who, if it were up to us, we would rather just cast them off to a far away island. But they make us better people for putting up with them, right? ;-)

    It's also a lifelong challenge to recognize God's will and align it with our own. Not always easy, but like you said, worth it in the end.

    Here's to a happy 2009. You deserve the best this year has to offer.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Happy New Year Jimmy!

    Very nice resolutions....I need to take some of these and apply them to my life. Thanks!

    Wishing you the best in 2009!

    Michele

    ReplyDelete
  19. Excellent Jimmy!

    May 2009 bring you much joy and love. XXOO

    ReplyDelete
  20. Sorry i am so far behind on blogging. I am getting caught up though. I hope your holidays were wonderful and I hope 2009 is wonderful for you. Linda

    ReplyDelete
  21. Those resolutions are wonderful! Thanks for a great, uplifting post! :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. I think the biggest obstacle we often have to overcome is ourselves. I was chatting with someone last night about banging my head against the wall regarding a problem and my friend pointed out that no one was holding a gun to my head. I was choosing to feel this way and stress about it. Reality check!
    LYB!
    xx

    ReplyDelete

I love comments. I won't lie about that!