Don’t Mess With Mr. In-Between (in 2016)

Every December we begin to look towards the new year.  We take inventory.  We write lists.  We make resolutions.  It’s our chance to right wrongs, build on successes, and put forth a few new challenges.   Avoiding the hype, I typically choose to dedicate myself to a reassuringly simple approach:  carry on as in the year before.

Is this a cop out?  I think not.  With the winding down of a year, I can’t help but pause and reflect on the previous 356 days and prepare for the ones ahead.  What worked and made me happy and what do I need to approach differently? I’ve taken a look at the past year’s list, given a little tweak, made a few additions and prepared my “baker’s dozen” list for the upcoming year.

For 2016, I resolve to:

1. Keep my health in order. Yes, the nutrition, exercise and alcohol consumption make appearances on most people’s resolution list, so I’m not alone in giving them some thought. But, I’m not making any changes, just hoping to be mindful of what I eat, drink and do to stay strong and healthy.  That said, I do plan to take longer walks and start my days with yoga.
2. Do one small act of kindness every week.  I don’t need to donate all my money to charity, but holding open a door, letting someone merge into traffic, or buying someone else’s coffee isn’t hard to do and it feels so nice when it is done for us.
3. Make music every day. Now that I have the piano, I need to embrace daily practice and perhaps find a local teacher.
4. Continue to keep family and friends in the foreground. If possible, schedule more vacations and visits with long-time friends throughout the globe.  We’ve made a few plans already, so are well onto a winning year!
5. Creatively document life through art, photos, and writing.
6. Keep our home improvement project list manageable. As soon as we finish stripping the wall, returning the floor boards and addressing the ceiling, we will turn our attentions to some much needed outdoor projects.  Watch this space.
7. Always tell myself the truth, live honestly and without guilt.
8. On a daily basis, rediscover my purpose and joy, remembering the happy and the half-full glass in all things. Throw in a daily belly laugh for good measure.
9. Be scared and brave more often.
10. Saying “no” when I need to and “yes” when I really should.
11. Remember the importance of  giving “any day” gifts, romantic gestures, and compliments.
12. Organize our kitchen cupboards – they are a mess!

As Johnny Mercer told us, “You’ve got to accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative, latch on to the affirmative, but don’t mess with Mr. In-Between.”  That’s right, in 2016, don’t mess with Mr. In-Between.  What’s on your list?