Goals or Resolutions

New Years Day with family is just about perfect in my mind and this year was great. Best was all the discussions. Of course, resolutions came up. I brought it up. One daughter-in-law mentioned she didn’t do resolutions and instead, made goals. I liked that thought.

I have wonderful daughter-in-laws, intelligent and beautiful, but still, I wondered—what was it I was really trying to do? Goal or resolution? Was there really a difference? Maybe knowing would help succeeding.

Every year I do a jumpstart anyway. I get ready and decide what the next year will be like and what I want to accomplish, weeks before. I’ve learned this is one of the best ways I can fight winter blues, cabin fever and seasonal affective disorder. All of which plaque me.

It’s been several years since I’ve been really psyched to do goals or resolutions. All I wanted was to accomplish something, anything. So many things were pushed back as I dealt with MPGN and being a primary caregiver. This year I'd like to give myself and my goals more attention. I know it will be a challenge with these other things and a retired husband around. (Although, he supports my writing. Smart man, he knows it is not a matter of my wanting to write, but I need to write. If I could not write, I would.)

Still, there are so many critical pulls to my energy, things I cannot ignore or change. The best thing I can think to do is give myself a way and means to try to do them. I know…there is no try, there is only do.

So, I looked up the two words in question in the dictionary. What else would a writer do? Well, she would look the words up in a thesaurus, too. Wouldn’t she?

Goal: the end toward which effort is directed (INTENTION)
objective, aim, end, target, wish, dream

Resolution: the act or process of reducing to simpler form as a: the act of analyzing a complex notion into a simpler one. b: the act of answering: (SOLVING)
resolve, decision, commitment, pledge, promise

I realize I need both. I need a goal, but I, also, need a simpler way to reach it. I need resolve. I love that word. It sounds tough and strong. It’s me, with my chin sticking out with determination, my shoulders strong and firm, ready for a fight or a 5k walk.

And I know I can do that.