2015 is upon us!

2014 has been interesting to say the least. It has been a year full of happiness, blessings, and love intertwined with moments of sadness, loss, hardships, and disappointments. As I look back on this past year and all it brought, I can't help but look forward to 2015 with excitement and enthusiasm.

Every year, I sit down on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day and write a list of resolutions. I'm sure this year will be no different. However, maybe this year, I will try to write realistic resolutions that I can accomplish and want to accomplish.

So what exactly is a resolution? Google defines resolution as a firm decision to do or not to do something. According to Wikipedia, each year the ancient Babylonians made promises to their gods to return borrowed objects and pay their debts. Considering I have numerous debts, I shall take a note from the Babylonians and consider making this one of my resolutions for 2015.  In the medieval era, knights took the "peacock vow" at the end of the Christmas season to reaffirm their commitment to chivalry. I guess my "peacock vow" can be to more courteous, polite, and mannerly to others. Hmmm...I will have to think on that one. In short, resolutions are made to reflect upon self-improvement. 

Self-improvement. Yes. I need to improve myself.

• I need to lose weight. 
• I need to eat healthier. 
• I need to communicate my thoughts and feelings better. 
• I need to be less sarcastic. 
• I need to worry less. 
• I need to be more present. 
• I need to put down my phone and enjoy life. 
• I need to...
• I need to...
• I need to...

(This list could go on and on...) 

*And if anyone is looking for some pre-made resolutions, Wikipedia offers a pretty good list of ideas.*

I would like to meet a person who has made a list of resolutions and has met all of them by the end of the year. Now, I'm not talking a list of 2-3 resolutions that even a child could accomplish, but a real list. Do those people really exist? What do those resolutions look like? Those people have way more self-control than I do. 

(Maybe one of my resolutions should be to stick to the resolutions I make. Nope. Nevermind. Immediate fail.)

I don't think it's realistic to make resolutions that one hopes to accomplish during the entire year. Why not make monthly resolutions? I read a list of monthly resolutions by a follower on Twitter. Genius idea. 

• In January, I plan to not complain about the cold weather all the time. It's January after all. 
• In February, I plan to wear something besides all black on Valentine's Day. Love is a wonderful thing...according to some. 
• In March, I plan to spend a majority of the month watching college basketball. Oh, wait, I already do that. I guess I should think of something else for March. 

(I can do this. This month-to-month resolution thing seems a lot better and lot more doable than making yearlong resolutions.) 

So, my friends, I leave you with this that I learned a long time ago but really internalized in 2014: We can't control everything. Life happens whether we are ready or not. We can't live in the past or worry about the future. Enjoy each day and the little moments of happiness, positivity, or blessings. 

And now off to write my monthly resolutions! Happy 2015, everyone!