Resolute

Well, Farmgirls, we’ve done it, we’ve turned another page in history and now have a nearly blank page to fill with the trials and tribulations of 2013. What stories will top our bank of memories at the end of the year? Will the great and beautiful outweigh the hard and sad? Will our adventures outnumber moments of inertia? I have a feeling this year is going to be great! Maybe thats just because of my unorthodox attraction to the number thirteen, though…

The New Year holiday got me thinking this year why do we celebrate the beginning of the New Year on Jan.1? Why not on the winter solstice or spring equinox? Why not the lunar New Year like so many Asian countries (who often celebrate both the international Gregorian Calendar Jan.1 and the Lunar version several weeks later). It doesn’t seem to be very logical to me; most holidays have some religious history or lunar cycle or famous event attached to them. After a little research, it is apparent that the New Year designation is a civil holiday. There are no lunar or solar events that always happen that day, The god Janus, for whom Julius Caesar named January, was said to have two faces, one looking into the future and the other looking into the past. I guess that is very fitting when choosing the best date to declare the beginning of a New Year.

Since it is my first New Year as a blogger for MJF, I get to be a little self-aggrandizing, right? I think one of the keys to making doable and relevant resolutions for the New Year is to reflect upon the last year’s ups and downs, heres and theres and “eh”s. In that light, here are highlights from my “thumbs up” and “thumbs down” lists for 2012.

Thumbs up

• I got engaged to the love of my life!
• I am 3/4 finished with my graduate program.
• Farming in Alaska turned out to be awesome.
• The world did not end (a few times).
• I hatched and successfully raised my first clutch of chickens.
• I’ve had/do have a couple of jobs that I love.
• We got a puppy!
• I decided to be okay with being a list person.
• I was lucky enough to ski, snow shoe, fish, hike, climb, plant, harvest, rest, eat delicious food, sleep in, teach, learn, write, read, have people to depend on, and have moments of utter independence.

Thumbs Down

• I did not speak with my friends and family anywhere near as much as I should have.
• I overextended myself more often than not.
• My yoga sessions averaged less than one per week (which is weak!).
• I was prone to extended bouts of extreme laziness (to compensate for the overextension, of course).
• I got my first fillings, ever.
• My bedroom was only clean twice: when we moved out of our old place and into our new place.
• I decided to be okay with being a list person.

There are more that could go into both of these lists, but the Thumbs Ups definitely outweigh the Thumbs Downs. From this list, what do I want to change (and, more importantly, what can I change) in the New Year?

• I resolve to call and/or write my family and friends more often. I am horrible at keeping in touch, and it needs to end!
• I am really, really, really going to try to be a neater/cleaner person. Having a tidy domicile isnt high on my list of priorities, perhaps that list should be re-arranged?
• I will fully accept that lists are a part of being an adult.
• I will do more yoga

These aren’t so bad in terms of resolutions. I want to complete them, and I can complete them, no excuses. I think I will start by calling my grandmother and good friend today. Maybe do some yoga, too!

Farmgirls, what have you resolved to do? How did you come up with your resolutions?

Until next time, Sending you peace and love in the wee days of 2013!

Alex, the Rural Farmgirl