There is something very disturbing to me about the constant stream of New Years Resolutions people produce around now. I don't do them myself and it smacks too much of self-loathing and negativity for my tastes. Rather than a list of a exciting and new things, resolutions lists tend to be a laundry list of how to fix what people see as wrong with them. Lose weight, find a boyfriend, play an instrument or whatever really have a subtext of 'I'm too fat', 'I am lonely or unlovable' or 'I don't do anything interesting' in many cases.

The end of the year should be it's climax, a reflection of the things that went well, not self flagellating affirmation that "next year I wont suck as much".

Living life and growing should be a constant process, we shouldn't need a new year to push us forward. I say this mindful of the fact that there are many people who are just stuck emotionally or mentally and have difficulty moving forward, we all have that to some degree but I know there are people who struggle with it more than others. For those people I hope peace and freedom for you above all other things, but even you I hope will take some time to reflect on whatever went well or gave you joy and what you look forward to giving you joy in the next year.

So instead of a list of resolutions, what I would love from anyone willing to share is what gave you joy in the last year and what you look forward to giving you joy in the new?

Be well all my friends, peace and love to all of you and here's to a bright future.

Originally published at Flagon ...

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