We’ve all heard the saying “out with old and in with the new”. With the new year approaching I’m sure we all have some things we’d like to leave behind. The start of a new year is the perfect time for us to make resolutions about all the things we do or don’t want in our lives in the coming year. However, I’m sure that most of us don’t stick to our resolutions. Primarily because although we know some things may not be good for us or may even be downright bad for us we are creatures of habit and usually have a hard time letting go of things that have become a part of our daily lives.

Some people make resolutions to become more health conscious, to exercise more, to spend more time with the family and less time at work and others vow to leave that no good unhealthy relationship. I at one time or another have made most of those resolutions. Exercise and being health conscious for me last for about a month at the  most and then it’s no more visits to the gym and back to eating all sorts of tasty unhealthy foods. The latter of leaving uhealthy relationships in the past I manage keep. I’m married and have been for the past 8 and 1/2 years so if I leave any unhealthy relationships in the past then it’s usually bad friendships.

In 2008 I stopped being friends with someone that I was friends with for more than 15 years…the operative word in that sentence is I. I was the friend and the other individual had no idea what it meant to be friend. It took me awhile to realize this. I was the one always going out of my way for this person and never got anything in return. Once I came to my senses I decided that she wasn’t someone I cared to have in my life anymore and once I decided to leave that relationship I never looked back. Today, the friends I do have are loyal and they give to me just as much as I give to them. Furthermore, they accept me for the nasty b*tch that I can sometimes be and love me anyway. That’s what true friendship is, unconditional love, acceptance, and realization that I’m human and that I’m not perfect. I will make mistakes sometimes. As I look back at 2009 I can’t say that I have any unhealthy relationships. In fact, I have solid long-lasting relationships and for that I am grateful. 

2009 for the most part has been a good year for me. I wasn’t affected by the recession that seemed to impact many people throughout the country.  I celebrated my 1  year anniversary in my new home, I got a raise at work during a time when others were being laid off. I strengthened some relationships with friends and even made some new friends this year. Overall, 2009 has been a good year. However, not every year can be as good as this one was. I’ve had some pretty bad years and every New Year I vow that it will be better than the last.

Sometimes we have to take those experiences as lessons learned so that we don’t make the same mistake twice. While we are creatures of habit there has to come a time where we step away from ourselves and take a long hard look at our lives and what we really want for ourselves. I know people that want to lose weight but do absolutely nothing to lose it. I know others who are unhappy or miserable at their jobs but rather stay because of the sense of security. I know other people that either want a relationship or stay in unhealthy relationships because they’re afraid to take a chance  at something different or new.

For 2010 I say that we all resolve to be fearless. Don’t let fear stop you from going after what you want. Don’t be afraid to take risks or to follow your heart. Your heart will never steer you wrong. For 2010 let’s all vow to act on what our feelings tell us to do. Often times when we think about something we tend to over analyze the situation and convince ourselves out of doing something that in our hearts we really want to do. In 2010, go for that job that you love instead of pigeon holing yourself into a job that you hate. In the new year, if you want to lose weight don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t because you CAN. If you’re looking for love and just so happen to find it in the most unconventional way possible don’t be afraid of it, don’t question it, and don’t push it away, but instead accept it, open your heart and allow love to come in and 2010 might just be the very best year that you’ve ever had!

What will you be fearless about in the coming year?