Believe it or not, I’m doing okay with my New Years resolutions. Except for that budget thing; that’s not going so well. But the month’s not over, so there is hope for it, yet. Actually, this post pertains to resolutions in more ways than one. It is at once talking about resolutions and fulfilling a resolution.
You may or may not remember, but I resolved to get back on track with my Queries. That poor little Hope picture has been hanging out on my sidebar since August 28th. Four months! Wow, I didn’t even realize it had been that long. And I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed doing the Queries until I started hounding asking people to answer a new question. Did you miss the Queries? I hope so, because they’re back. I resolved to make it so.
So, in honor of resolutions made and broken all over the world (ambitious, aren’t I?), here’s the new Query: Do You Make New Years Resolutions?
Occasionally, I have to get to take a shift at register. Generally, I don’t mind, because I like to interact with our customers. And it can get real interesting up at check-out. A few days ago, for example, a guy came in looking for a specific kind of cigar. I say guy. He looked to be at least 80, but maybe that’s just a result of his lifestyle.
This is an accurate account of our sparkling conversation. I know because it was so good that I wrote it down right afterwards. You’re welcome. continue reading…
This is such an awesome movie that even my Dad quotes it. There are few movies he’ll watch more than once, and this is one of them. His thing is, “I’ve seen it; I know what happens. Why watch it again?”
I know! That’s just…wrong.
Anyway, are you sick of me saying, “I love this movie”? Because I love this movie. In fact, I’m quoting this movie in my head right now. As I type this post. Ronny is carrying on about his wooden hand at this very moment. (“Bring me the big knife, Chrissy.”) I mean, can you blame him? Johnny’s got his hand. Johnny’s got his bride. (“She won’t do it.”) Do you want Ronny to put away his heartache and forget? Callous.
But that is not the quote we are here to hear today. This is another quote that I really like, and it seems appropriate for January, as this is the time of year when so many people review their lives and decisions. Some write check-off lists of things they want to do or don’t. And some people dream up whole new selves that they desire or want or need to be.
Loretta: A person can…can see where they’ve messed up in their life and they can change the way they do things. And they can even change their luck. So maybe, maybe my nature does draw me to you; that don’t mean I have to go with it. I can take hold of myself and I can…say yes to some things and no to other things that are gonna ruin everything. I can do that.
I like the idea that we are capable of improving ourselves, of being more than a repetition of past behaviors. Or past mistakes.
But it’s interesting to me that Loretta found happiness – joy, really – when she let go of those ideas and simply followed her heart (her natural urges). She never would have been truly happy had she forced herself to stay with the safe, but wrong, man.
Is Ronny right when he said that going against your own nature is “just about the most dangerous thing” you could do? Do we ultimately self-destruct when we attempt to force changes that are unnatural to us?
Where should you draw the line when it comes to becoming a better you?
steadily skipping stones 